Introduction
In this article, we will start by doing a review of FPL GW1, and then we take a look at how to navigate to Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 2 to cover key topics.
COVERING
- GW1 Review and Top Performers
- Fixture Preview GW2
- Trend Discussion
- Injury Analysis
- Captaincy Picks
- Points Predictions
- Transfers & Strategy
- Q & A
GW1 Review
Burnley 0 – 3 Man City
As expected, Manchester City was dominant, barring the injury to KDB everything went City’s way. Haalands first touch in the game was a goal and they managed to keep a clean sheet.
Top Performers
Erling Haaland: 13 points – He’s selected in 90% of teams, and is now the highest-ever selected FPL player EVER.
Rodri: 13 points – Got a goal and an assist. He’s a DM and this won’t happen often. He has been transferred in by 300K managers. This isn’t a good transfer as per us.
Nathan Ake: 7 points – Managed a clean sheet and got a bonus point. Good performance, but a city defender is hard to pick with the available options at the moment.
Arsenal 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest
A big surprise in the 11 was the absence of Gabriel and in came Nketiah in his place. An injury to Timber was something that Arsenal could have done without. But they got the 3 points which was expected.
Top Performers
Bukayo Saka: 10 points – He got a great goal and 3 BPS, he’s now a must-have after Haaland in your team.
Eddie Nketiah: 8 points – Scored in the 26th min, and while Jesus is injured in worth a short-term punt as Arsenal’s fixtures is great till GW7.
Awoniyi: 7 points – Got a goal in the later stages of the game to wipe out Arsenal’s clean sheet. Best left alone as there are too many options in the midfield right now.
AFC Bournemouth 1 – 1 West Ham
In a goalless 1st half, Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring in the 51st min of the game only for an 82nd min equalizer by Solanke. It must be said both teams had plenty of chances but neither team score the decisive goal.
Top Performers
Jarrod Bowen: 9 points – got a goal and had a decent game, he’s one to keep an eye on after GW-8 West Ham fixtures get a lot better.
Thomas Soucek: 7 points – had an assist and got 2 BPS. Not an FPL option.
Solanke: 7 points – got a goal in the later stages of the game, again he’s not an FPL option.
Brighton 4 – 1 Luton Town
Brighton continues their rise in EPL after an excellent last season, and they will be looking to keep up their performances. They will also be in European football this year, so we need to keep this in mind as time goes by from an FPL aspect. Brighton deserved the victory after a fine display.
Top Performers
Solly March: 9 points – An excellent performance in the game and got the opening goal in the 36th min. He’s selected in only 3.8% of teams. Can be a differential.
Morris: 8 points – The Luton forward scored a penalty in the 81st min. And was the highest point scorer for Luton.
Estupinan/Joao Pedro: 7 points – The Brighton forward whose only 5.5 M Pedro scored a penalty and going forward must be given serious consideration in your squad as your 2nd forward, Estupinan could not keep a clean sheet, got an assist and 3 BPS. He’s currently in 55% of teams is he in yours?
Everton 0 – 1 Fulham
Both teams could have won this game, but Fulham just managed to carve out the win. Bobby Reid found the net in the 73rd min of the game. Everton, the Premier Leagues’ lowest scorers last season were again without the services of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Top Performers
Bernd Leno: 12 points – He was very lucky to keep a clean sheet in this game, as Everton had plenty of chances to score, but well done if you picked him.
Diop: 8 points – The Fulham defence dominated in this game, with Diop keeping a clean sheet and also picking up 2 BPS.
Tim Ream: 7 points – Kept a clean sheet and picked up 1 BPS. Not an FPL option.
Sheffield United 0 – 1 Crystal Palace
A fine display from Crystal Palace in the post-Zaha era got a deserved victory over Sheffield United, a 49th min goal from Edouard who had an easy finish was the decider. It must be said that Eze has multiple chances but failed to convert them into FPL points. If you have him in your squad, he’s a hold.
Top Performers
Jochim Andersen: 9 points – Clean sheet, 3 BPS, and at a price of 4.5 M, can be a big differential since he’s selected in only 2.5% of teams. Keep him on your watchlist.
Mitchell: 8 points – Clean sheet, 2 BPS was the 2nd best performer in this game.
Edouard: 7 points – Was the only goal scorer in the game, an easy opportunity taken by him.
Newcastle 5 – 1 Aston Villa
An energy-packed, enjoyable game. Isak led with 2 goals, Wilson subbed in, scoring in just 28 mins. Despite Villa conceding 5 goals, their attack was impressive. Watkins and Diaby were constant threats.
Top Performers
Alexander Isak: 13 points – 2 goals and all 3 BPS made it an excellent game was him and was the 2nd highest scorer in FPL this week. He will share mins with Wilson that’s the only issue in picking him. Newcastle becomes a team we need to target from GW5 or 6 onwards. He’s on the watchlist for now.
Harvey Barnes: 11 points – Came in for his new team for a 22min cameo scoring a goal and getting an assist.
Diaby: 7 points – Scored an equalizer for Villa in the 11th min, he’s a part of the 6.5 M midfielder club. With many options, he should be considered when fixtures are kinder.
Brentford 2 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs begin their new era under new manager Anze Postecoglou, and starting their campaign without Harry Kane wearing his no. 10 shirt, James Maddison the other set-up in the midfield, provided 2 vital contributions that the first half clearly defined. From Brentford Brian Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa got the goals to get them level with Spurs.
Top Performers
James Maddison: 9 points – 2 Assists and featured in the game in the 11th min. At his price of 7.5M he is worth a look in. He’s the same price as a Foden but is guaranteed mins.
Yoane Wissa: 9 points – Put Brentford in the lead with a goal in the 36th min, he’s 6 M and in the absence of Toney will get mins till his return.
Royal: 8 points – Got the equalizer for Spurs in injury time in the first half of the game.
Chelsea 1 – 1 Liverpool
An action-packed encounter between 2 teams who have had 5 previous draws in a row. Both teams have plenty of chances but failed to get a result in the end. From Liverpool’s POV, they would be happy coming out of this with a draw. Goals from Luiz Diaz and from Disasi.
Top Performers
Disasi – 11 points – Got the all-important goal for Chelsea which got him 3 BPS. With James, injury may be worth a shout. But Ben Chilwell should be your first target from their defence.
Luis Diaz – 8 points – Scored a screamer of a goal via a Mo Salah assist. Going forward he will be an important source of points.
Ben Chilwell – 7 points – He got the assist for the goal Chelsea scored and also had a goal disallowed. If you are looking for a defender Chilwell is your best bet right now, was playing very deep and this is what we like to see in defenders.
Man United 1 – 0 Wolves
Man United were lucky not to concede a late penalty, Wolves played an excellent game and had many chances to score. A late goal from Varane in the 76th min was the only goal in the game. Onana the United goalkeeper made his debut.
Varane: 14 points – Clean sheet and a goal made Varane the highest-point scorer for GW1.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 12 points – Got 3 BPS and an assist, which took his points tally to 12 points.
Onana: 9 points – Was very lucky to get those points, he clearly fouled but it wasn’t called. Owners will feel happy with the points.
Fixture Preview GW2
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
From the GW2 fixtures, the only to attack will obviously be Liverpool vs Bournemouth, the last time these 2 teams met at Anfield the score was 9-0, Salah did blank but his record against Bournemouth is very impressive. He has 8 goals in 8 games against them.
Mohamed Salah is also a captaincy shout for the week, Diaz, Darwin, and Jota will be in the points as well.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
In this match, a high number of goals and points are anticipated to be scored by both teams. We have identified players whom we believe will contribute to the scoring.
- Haaland (obviously)
- Isak
- Foden (if he plays)
Trend Discussion
Why Gabriel was benched
Arsenal’s tactical shift saw Nketiah replacing Gabriel. The goal was to improve midfield fluidity and defence strategy. Gabriel’s 73 consecutive league starts until Saturday made this a notable change. Timber’s knee injury led to Tomiyasu stepping in, adding more uncertainty heading into the Palace game.
If you have him in your team, hold him for a week and then take it from there.
Matt Turner & Areola starting
Great to witness a £4m GK in action. I anticipate this to continue unless NFO acquires Dean Henderson, which is unlikely soon. Also, Turner is a strong pick this week (vs SHU). For Pickford, Onana, or Johnstone owners, Forest’s GK covers tough GW2-5 as well.
Areola isn’t a reliable No.1 GK option. David Moyes mentioned having two No.1 GKs, so Areola’s nailed status seems unlikely.
Onana shone, but Man United struggled badly. A 9-pointer for the debutant, who can consider himself lucky not to have conceded a penalty.
Injury Analysis
Let’s look at important players and their recent injuries:
Jurrien Timber: Sadly, he might be sidelined for months due to a serious knee injury.
Kevin De Bruyne: A serious hamstring injury that may require surgery, he will be out for a few months.
Tyrone Mings: Out with a knee injury. He’ll be sidelined for a few months.
Reece James: Just in and a fresh hamstring injury which will keep him out for a few weeks.
Captaincy Picks
There are only 2 that stand out for this week:
– Mo Salah
– Erling Haaland
Both are stand-out choices, but Salah gets my vote for this week. Haaland is playing Newcastle who has a much better defence.
Points Predictions
Here are the top 10 assets with the best-projected points for GW2-7:
- Haaland: 39.4
- Salah: 35.8
- Son: 34.4
- Saka: 31.3
- Foden: 30.4
- Alexander-Arnold: 26.9
- Grealish: 26.4
- Odegaard: 25.7
- Robertson: 24.4
- Sterling: 25.4
- Martinelli: 25.3
Transfers & Strategy
If you have no fires to put out in your team, then the best way forward is to not make any moves. Teams are well setup since this is only GW1, however, if you have injuries then please do read below.
Gabriel: He was benched last week, breaking a streak of 73 games. He is on hold for a week, if you’re selling, think about Chilwell, Saliba or Gusto as replacements.
Tyrone Mings: Injured for now, and a great swap would be Rico Henry from Brentford.
KDB: We now know he’s OUT for a while If you can upgrade to Salah. Or just go in with Jota or Diaz for a one-week punt.
Watch players like Jackson, Pedro, Maddison, Richarlison, and Chilwell for potential additions.
Q & A
If there are any questions with regard to your team, please do write to us, we will be happy to help.
