It may be early days, but every point counts in the long run!
(L-R) Benjamin Mendy, Romelu Lukaku and Gabriel Jesus (Photos: AFP)
The Premier League may charge top dollar from scores of loyal fans, but boy does it give them rich returns with a slew of goals in an almost every game.
That manic action, however, causes pandemonium for millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) who would love nothing but plenty of straightforward results every week.
To make sense from the chaos, The Statesman, provides the low-down on FPL with a comprehensive weekly article to ensure your team performs without a hitch.
Advertisement
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked in Green indicate a rise in Base Price.
Prices marked in Red indicate a fall in Base Price.
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Burnley (H), Leicester (A), Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H) and Spurs (A)
Price: 5.0
Score: 8
Ownership: 1.6%
Why yes: It’s confirmed now, Mignolet will be playing the Premier League while Loris Karius starts in European competitions for the Reds. Liverpool have kept two clean sheets from their opening four games and overall signs are encouraging that they will be able to consistently shutout their opposition.
Why no: Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy isn’t helping matters and as has been proven by Manchester City and Sevilla, their defence is still a work in progress. The Belgian does make blunders from time to time.
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Swansea (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (A), Bournemouth (H) and Liverpool (H)
Price: 5.5
Score: 16
Ownership: 13.2%
Why yes: Spurs may not lift the title but their defence will be top notch and a Hugo Lloris’s presence in goal will be a major factor in that. Against goal shy Swansea, should be able to register a clean sheet. Next four fixtures are quite easy and Spurs seem to have finally gotten over their ‘Wembley Curse’.
Why no: Or have they? Their three-man defence was exposed on a number of occasions in the Champions League as it seems new boy Davison Sanchez is still adapting to life in London. Ben Davies (defence) is in terrific form and is a worth a look at.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Watford (A), Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (A), Stoke (H) and Burnley (H)
Price: 6.5
Score: 1.2%
Ownership:
Why yes: Mendy got a single assist in City’s big win over Liverpool but not for lack of quality on his part. His teammates were profligate and should have put his excellent crosses away. Blessed with plenty of power and pace, the young Frenchman seems tailor-made for the Premier League. The Sky Blues have kind fixtures, on the whole, ahead.
Why no: Like Liverpool, City’s defence is still shaky at times and Mendy is expensive. To complicate matters, Pep Guardiola is always rotating and Mendy is in line to be benched after starting the past few games.
Team: Bournemouth
Fixtures: Brighton (H), Everton (A), Leicester (H), Spurs (A) and Stoke (A)
Price: 4.9
Score: 11
Ownership: 12.9%
Why yes: Yes, the Cherries aren’t going great guns at the moment but they can’t get worse, right?
Daniels has been acquitting himself well and against newly promoted Brighton, should be able to register a shutout. As a bonus, the 31-year-old is playing as wing-back in the Cherries’ 3-4-3 formation.
Why no: Brighton did beat West Brom last week and will look to build on that performance. Bournemouth are clearly struggling and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to snap out of their slump.
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Burnley (H), Leicester (A), Newcastle (A), Man Utd (H) and Spurs (A)
Price: 8.8
Score: 0
Ownership: 2.4%
Why yes: Coutinho had recovered from his ‘back’ complaint long ago, that’s why he featured heavily for Brazil during the international break. And after a week of training with the squad, is in line for his first start of the season. Sadio Mane is suspended for three games and expect Coutinho to pick up the slack in his absence.
Why no: Burnley are no pushovers and doubts remain over the twinkle-toed Brazilian’s temperament and whether he can perform after seeing his dream move to Barcelona fall away. Teammates Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino (forward) are worthwhile options.
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Swansea (H), West Ham (A), Huddersfield (A), Bournemouth (H) and Liverpool (H)
Price: 9.5
Score: 22
Ownership:
Why yes: Rested in midweek by virtue of his European suspension, Alli will be fresher than the rest of his teammates and with their ‘Wembley Curse’ seemingly over, should be able to get on the scoresheet. Fixtures should be a cinch.
Why no: Is expensive and teammates Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane (forward) are in better form at the moment. A bit naughty and has a propensity to pick up cards, as is evident from the European ban he is serving.
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Everton (H), Southampton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (H) and Huddersfield (A)
Price: 11.7
Score: 25
Ownership: 57.1%
Why yes: If you don’t have him, you may as well forget your FPL ambitions this year. It may seem like overkill but United’s record signing is scoring goals like nobody’s business and is a must-have.
Why no: Not much of a differential is he? Almost every 6 in 10 manager has him in their squad and the Belgian does hog a big chunk of your budget. Teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan (midfield) is supplying a steady stream of assists and is worth a dekho.
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Watford (A), Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (A), Stoke (H) and Burnley (H)
Price: 10.4
Score: 23
Ownership: 9.7%
Why yes: The Jesus-Aguero tandem seems to be doing well and the Sky Blues’ Brazilian forward is in terrific form. A big differential and much cheaper than teammate Sergio Aguero. Get him before his price shoots up.
Why no: Already incredibly expensive and while City are hammering all and sundry at the moment, their dual-forward system is still suffering from teething problems. City’s midfield (Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, specifically) are in great nick as well.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 7 PM GMT Friday/12.30 AM IST Saturday.
Advertisement
