The penultimate Gameweek before the international break beckons, is your team ready?
(L-R) Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante and Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker(Photos: AFP/Chelsea F.C/Liverpool F.C.)
It’s been a whirlwind start to the Premier League season and of course, its virtual counterpart—Fantasy Premier League (FPL)—hasn’t lagged behind one bit.
The heady feeling of Gameweek 1 had given many a manager an invincible aura, but Gameweek 2 was a sobering reminder of just how precarious the world of FPL can be.
So whether you just need to plug a leak or are in danger of capsizing, The Statesman is at hand to ensure your boat doesn’t get rocked ahead of Gameweek 3 with our expert picks.
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The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Brighton (H), Leicester (A), Spurs (A), Southampton (H) and Chelsea (A)
Price: 5.5
Score: 13
Ownership: 15.0%
Why yes: Two games, two cleansheets for the world’s second-most expensive goalkeeper.
The Brazilian looks like he’s the real deal and the Reds should register a shutout at home against Brighton.
Why no: The Seagulls did just stun Manchester United, so can’t be taken lightly, even if they are playing at Anfield.
Fullbacks Andy Robertson (£6.0 m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.0 m) are going great guns at the moment as well.
Might get difficult to accommodate him, what with Mohamed Salah, Sadio mane and Roberto Firmino all up for grabs.
Games after Brighton are on the tougher side.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Wolves (A), Newcastle (H), Fulham (H), Cardiff (A) and Brighton (H)
Price: 6.5
Score: 7
Ownership: 11.8%
Why yes: Pep Guardiola’s new 3-5-2 system will benefit Walker immensely as the Englishman will be a wing-back instead of a regular fullback.
Even if Guardiola reverts to a four-man defence against Wolves, it’s certain that Walker will be restored to the starting XI after being rested for the midweek win against Huddersfield Town.
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to stack up on City players.
Why no: Benjamin Mendy’s (£6.2 m) irrepressible attacking form makes him hard to ignore and as proved by Huddersfield on the weekend, Guardiola’s men may find it difficult to keep clean sheets.
Team: Leicester City
Fixtures: Southampton (A), Liverpool (H), Bournemouth (A), Huddersfield (H) and Newcastle (A)
Price: 5.0
Score: 16
Ownership: 4.6%
Why yes: The Portuguese fullback has hit the ground sprinting in the Premier League, with two assists in as many games.
Southampton are winless so far and against an improving Foxes side, they could suffer.
Pereira has the potential to be a massive differential. Barring the Liverpool tie in Gameweek 4, they have decent fixtures.
Why no: Without the suspended Jamie Vardy, Leicester might find it hard to score.
Danny Ings seems to have become an instant hit at Southampton and chances are high that the Saints will find the back of the net.
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Newcastle (A), Bournemouth (H), Cardiff (H), West Ham (A), Liverpool (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 10
Ownership: 22.8%
Why yes: Kante is revelling in his roving midfield role and if they first two games are anything to go by, the diminutive Frenchman will make plenty of late runs into the box.
He’s already scored once and will definitely pick up another few in the weeks ahead.
An excellent fourth/fifth pick for your midfield.
Why no: With Eden Hazard in the mood he is and possibly Alvaro Morata returning to form, coupled with Marcos Alonso’s buccaneering ways, it will be difficult to pick Kante too.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: West Ham United (H), Cardiff (A), Newcastle (A), Everton (H) and Watford (H)
Price: 7.1
Score: 14
Ownership: 16.8%
Why yes: The Gunners now have the fixtures to start winning again and their Armenian midfielder is arguably the most in-form player at the moment.
The Hammers’ open approach under Manuel Pellergrini guarantees that Mkhitaryan will get a handful of goalscoring chances.
Most FPL managers will flock to sign him after glancing at the North Londoners’ fixtures.
Why no: The Hammers, just like Arsenal, are hurting after consecutive losses and London Derbies are never easy, are they?
Those who already have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) will want to steer clear, despite the easy games ahead.
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: West Ham (H), Cardiff (A), Newcastle (A), Everton (H), Watford (H)
Price: 11.0
Score: 4
Ownership: 15.9%
Why yes: Aubameyang may have missed a glorious few chances against Chelsea, but surely three games without a goal is too much.
Especially if one considers their upcoming opponents.
Why no: With the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Mark Arnautovic giving bang for buck and Sergio Aguero going beserk, most FPL managers will struggle to justify the significant outlay the Gunners frontman demands.
One more scoreless game and the Gabonese’s price will take a major hit.
Team: Watford
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Spurs (H), Man United (H), Fulham (A) and Arsenal (A)
Price: 6.0
Score: 14
Ownership: 2.9%
Why yes: By all accounts, Watford’s talismanic skipper is revitalised and might just be in for his best-ever season.
His partnership with Andre Gray has been blossoming and the Hornets, among the few sides to boast of a 100 per cent record, are reaping the benefits.
Why no: Fixtures after Palace aren’t great and the likes of Gray (£6.0 m), Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5 m) are worthwhile options in this price range too.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.
Previous articles in the series:
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 1
Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 2
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