English Premier League kicks off with thrilling action: Weekend 1 overview
With new players, coaches and newly appointed captains from respective clubs, let’s analyse the matches that happened this opening English Premier League weekend.
The action never stops in the English Premier League, throwing up results that guarantee only one thing: Expect the unexpected!
As they bid to outscore one and other, all that uncertainty isn't good for millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. However, each week, thestatesman.com will help to make the right moves on the FPL with a comprehensive article on who to buy for the coming gameweek.
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked with a (+) indicate an increase in Base Price.
Prices marked with a (-) indicate a decrease in Base Price.
Goalkeepers
Ben Foster
Team: West Brom
Fixtures: Watford (H), Chelsea (A), Swansea (H), Man Utd (A) and Arsenal (A)
Price: 4.7 (+)
Score: 45
Ownership: 15.6%
Why yes: The Baggies have been in good form of late and their custodian is doing a commendable job between the sticks. His saves per game ratio is quite good, making him among the top five goalkeepers in FPL.
Why no: Fixtures aren't great, and it is unlikely that Forster will be able to keep too many clean sheets. At best, a good second-choice keeper.
Defenders
Danny Rose
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Swansea (H), Man Utd (A), Hull (H), Burnley (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 5.9 (-)
Score: 34
Ownership: 5.3%
Why yes: Rose is back from a one-match suspension and will immediately slot in at left-back. Swansea may have won in thrilling fashion last weekend, but they will find the going against Spurs tough. Marginally cheaper than Spurs right-back Kyle Walker. Rose is a good bet for points on both ends of the pitch.
Why no: Those who have Kyle Walker or Hugo Lloris should steer clear of Rose. He is slightly more expensive than teammate Jan Vertongen, who has more points than him currently.
Glen Johnson
Team: Stoke City
Fixtures: Burnley (H), Arsenal (A), Southampton (H), Leicester (H) and Liverpool (A)
Price: 4.7 (-)
Score : 13
Ownership: 0.1%
Why yes: Stoke have been in good form of late and Glen Johnson has been instrumental in their surge up the table. While rumours of a Barcelona move are exaggerated, he is definitely a good pick against a Burnley side who are struggling for goals at the moment.
Why no: Games after Burnley are tough and Stoke aren't known for backs-to-the-wall defending anymore.
Midfielders
Juan Mata
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Everton (A), Spurs (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Brom (A) and Sunderland (H)
Price: 7.5
Score: 47
Ownership: 4.2%
Why yes: United’s best performing midfielder (FPL stats), the diminutive Spaniard actually performs better against stronger opposition. After being rested midweek, Mata should cause havoc at Everton. Considerably cheaper than the rest of the United starters.
Why no: Those who are opting for the in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic should stay away as United do not look like a free-scoring side at the moment at least.
Sadio Mane
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), West Ham (H), Middlesbrough (A), Everton (A) and Stoke (H)
Price: 9.2 (+)
Score: 70
Ownership: 18.0%
Why yes: With Coutinho’s injury, there are only two viable options from Liverpool: Mane and Roberto Firmino. Mane is a very direct option to have and many times plays at the tip of an explosive Liverpool formation.
Why no: Considerably more expensive than Firmino, who has more points. While he will certainly score big over the course of a season, it is difficult to guarantee that he will be on the scoresheet week in, week out.
Forwards
Harry Kane
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Swansea (H), Man Utd (A), Hull (H), Burnley (H) and Southampton (A)
Price: 10.9 (-)
Score: 47
Ownership: 8.8%
Why yes: Just signed a bumper contract and in good form, there isn't any reason why Kane won't score against a leaky Swansea side at home. Fixtures look good as Spurs bid to climb back into the top four.
Why no: Christian Eriksen, Heung Min Son and Dele Alli are good options in midfield to have and are much cheaper.
Alvaro Negredo
Team: Middlesbrough
Fixtures: Hull (H), Southampton (A), Liverpool (H), Swansea (H) and Burnley (A)
Price: 6.3 (-)
Score: 52
Ownership: 13.0%
Why yes: Negredo grabbed a priceless brace against Leicester last time around and against a hapless Hull side could extend his form quite easily.Except for the Liverpool game, Middlesbrough pretty neat opponents lined up.
Why no: They aren't known to be free-scoring, more for their miserly defence than anything else. Negredo hasn't exactly been super consistent too, scoring once and then going AWOL for a while.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST. Make sure all transfers are completed before it!
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