FPL is as frenetic as the Premier League, if not more! Make sure your team doesn’t lag this week!
(L-R) Newcastle midfielder Matt Richie, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (Photo: AFP)
Records tumble, favourites stumble and defences crumble all the time in the English Premier League.
A delight for football lovers, not so much for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fanatics is the English top-flight
To make sense from all the chaos that reigns, The Statesman breaks down who to pick each week in FPL.
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The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Everton (A), West Ham (H), Man City (A) and Newcastle (H)
Price: 4.5
Score: 6
Ownership: 0.2%
Why yes: Pope has been impressive in Tom Heaton’s absence and looks set to start regularly between the sticks for the next couple of games at least. The Clarets have made a excellent start to the season and will look to punch above their weight. Decent fixtures ahead on the whole.
Why no: They did play a draining 120 minute tie in mid-week and Huddersfield are among the surprise packages of the season. At best, a long-term second-choice keeper since Burnley have kept just one clean-sheet this season.
Team: Swansea
Fixtures: Watford (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (H), Leicester (H) and Arsenal (A)
Price: 4.5
Score: 29
Ownership: 6.0%
Why yes: The No.1 keeper in FPL has kept three clean-sheets already and with some easy fixtures up ahead, should be able to add to that tally. Paul Clement’s side are pretty solid at the back and their Polish shot-stopper is in fine fettle.
Why no: Watford got hammered by City last week and will be desperate to bounce back and on the whole, the Hornets have a decent attacking unit.
Swansea do seem to be struggling to score and that does put their defence under unnecessary pressure. Teammate Kyle Naughton (defence) is a good option as well.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: West Brom (H), Brighton (H), Watford (A), Everton (A) and Swansea (H)
Price: 6.0
Score: 23
Ownership: 11.5%
Why yes: If there’s one Arsenal defender who has impressed this season, it’s the Bosnian left-back. Kolasinac looks a perfect fit for the Premier League and as a rejuvenated Arsenal look to get their season back on track,
Will benefit from playing as a wing-back in their 3-4-3 formation with some relatively easy fixtures up ahead (including two home games back-to-back). Was rested for the mid-week win over Doncaster Rovers (Carabao Cup)
Why no: Is expensive and with Arsenal involved in the Europa League this season, Arsene Wenger may not start him on a regular basis.
Team: Everton
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Burnley (H), Brighton (A), Arsenal (H) and Leicester (A)
Price: 5.0
Score: 10
Ownership: 6.2%
Why yes: The Toffees have been so bad in recent weeks, they can only improve from here on out. And their win over Sunderland in mid-week (Carabao Cup) suggests Ronald Koeman’s men can turn things around. Next three fixtures at least, are pretty straightforward. Jagielka is the cheapest of Everton’s three centre-backs.
Why no: Considering Everton are in the relegation zone, Jagielka is an expensive option and considering his age, it won’t be surprising to see him get rotated in the coming weeks.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: West Brom (H), Brighton (H), Watford (A), Everton (A) and Swansea (H)
Price: 7.0
Score: 18
Ownership: 3.3%
Why yes: In Mesut Ozil’s absence, the hardworking Ramsey seems to be thriving and maybe, just maybe, could hit the lofty heights of the 2013-14 season. Fixtures look pretty straightforward on paper.
Why no: The German is a fine player, but increases the workload on his teammates and once he returns, Ramsey’s attacking instincts may be curtailed for the greater good of the team. The Gunners are involved in the Europa League (next week onwards) and may be a little jaded on Premier League weekends.
Team: Newcastle United
Fixtures: Brighton (A), Liverpool (H), Southampton (A), Crystal Palace (H) and Burnley (A)
Price: 6.0
Score: 24
Ownership: 4.7%
Why yes: Newcastle are going great guns at the moment and Matt Richie’s wand of a foot is playing a big part in their resurgence. With four assists to his name already, Ricchie is fast becoming the differential player in the league. And the Magpies don’t have rather
Why no: Under Rafa Benitez, don’t expect Newcastle to be free-scoring, rather pragmatic.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (A), Stoke (H), Burnley (H) and West Brom (A)
Price:11.6
Score: 41
Ownership: 20.7%
Why yes: The only striker to have a Premier League hat-trick to his name, Aguero seems to be in the midst of a purple patch and with some inviting fixtures ahead, best get on the bandwagon while you can.
Why no: Is still quite expensive and teammate Gabriel Jesus (cheaper) is doing a decent job as well. Aguero will start in games when Guardiola opts for a one-forward system as he clearly prefers Jesus.
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Everton (A), West Ham (H), Man City (A) and Newcastle (H)
Price: 6.5
Score: 17
Ownership: 2.4%
Why yes: Burnley’s New Zealander is in good nick up top, with three goals in his last four games (all competitions). The Clarets are playing quite well and they should be able to continue their good run of form considering the games that lie ahead. An excellent third-choice forward at least.
Why no: A wild-card pick, no doubt. Wood played the entire 120 minutes in the Clarets’ Carabao Cup loss to Leeds United in mid-week. Can be skipped if if you have his teammate Robbie Brady (midfield) in your team.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.
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