The dust has just settled from the opening gameweek of the season but we have to quickly set our sights on Gameweek 2.
We have a bit more information now on players, teams and setups and can take this information into the weekend. It is always tempting to do knee-jerk transfers, vainly trying to pick up last week’s points, after the first gameweek, but it’s best to be patient in most cases.
Here, we will go over some key players to stick with and also highlight some under-the-radar picks if you are looking to make a transfer this week.
Keep the faith
Marcus Rashford (£9.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) were popular pre-season picks among FPL managers, and rightly so, with Manchester United having a favourable home game against Wolves to start. But what should have been a routine win was anything but. United were very fortunate to come away with the three points.
Both these United midfielders blanked and were quiet for the most part. With a trip to Tottenham next, some owners might be getting an itchy finger. However, this fixture could turn out much better than it is on paper, in my opinion.
New Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou’s attacking style of play is well known and their pre-season games and Gameweek 1 fixture was testament to this. Tottenham conceded two goals, 11 shots and an xG of 2.07 away to Brentford last week. This could be a sign of things to come and I can see this trend of them creating and allowing lots of chances continuing.
This is a good match-up, especially for the likes of Rashford, who could catch Spurs on the break with his pace. Fernandes is also United’s main playmaker and penalty taker, which means he will always have chances of points. I wouldn’t let one bad game sway you away from such proven players.
Stick with them, as they also have a plum fixture in Gameweek 3 against Nottingham Forest (H). Let others make the mistake of knee-jerking them out of their squad.
If you own any of the United defence, however, I would look to bench them this week if you have adequate cover.
Martin Odegaard (£8.5m) was another popular pick going into Gameweek 1. He is owned by more than 23 per cent of FPL managers at the time of writing having blanked in one of the best fixtures of the season for Arsenal. Again, it’s wise not to make a hasty move for a proven asset like him.
He scored the joint second-most goals (15) last season among midfielders and also had eight assists. Odegaard will score well over the season and has a decent fixture against Crystal Palace (A) next and also then has Fulham (H) in Gameweek 3. He is still a fine option and has both goals and assists in his locker.
The same sentiment goes for any Arsenal attacker and even their defenders. They are actually the second favourites to keep a clean sheet this week as they visit Palace. Therefore those with Gabriel Magalhaes (£5.0m) should probably hold him too as the long-term injury to Jurrien Timber will likely see the Brazilian reinstated in the starting XI.
GW2 clean sheet % 🥅🧤
LIV: 50%
ARS: 48%
AVL: 45%
NOT: 44%
MCI: 42%
BHA: 40%
CHE: 38%
FUL: 29%
BRE: 29%
MUN: 29%
SHU: 25%
TOT: 23%
WHU: 22%
WOL: 20%
CPL: 18%
EVE: 18%
NEW: 17%
BOU: 8%
LUT: 🚫
BUR: 🚫More FPL stats ⤵️https://t.co/S2WY9ZMW5F
— Abdul Rehman (@FPL_Salah) August 16, 2023
Under-the-radar picks
Compelled to make a transfer this week? Maybe you have injury issues already. Or perhaps you are simply not happy with your team. If so, there are a few players who are great picks who have flown under the radar so far or have low ownership.
Morgan Gibbs-White (£6.0m) has a great fixture, against Sheffield United at home. The midfielder is the talisman for Nottingham Forest and scored five goals with 12 assists last season. He is nailed-on to start if fit and also their first-choice penalty taker.
At his price, he is a fantastic option and cheap enough to bench during his tough fixtures. At only £6million, I really like Gibbs-White, and he is a proven FPL asset.
He was actually the most advanced player for his team in Gameweek 1, looking at his average position map. His next four home games read: Sheffield United, Burnley, Brentford and Luton, and the 23-year-old is owned only by 2.5 per cent of managers.
With the lenient prices in FPL this season, most managers will have a lot of squad depth and can easily rotate him.
Erling Haaland (£14.0m) was the only Manchester City player of note to come away with any attacking returns against Burnley. If you can stomach the wait on Pep Guardiola’s team sheets each week, then Phil Foden (£7.5m) or Julian Alvarez (£6.0m) could be great picks.
With Kevin De Bruyne set to be out for a ‘few months’ this could increase the aforementioned players’ minutes. Also, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez no longer being at the club opens up the possibility of Foden playing the roles they previously occupied — he can play centrally and on the right.
Foden lined up as a No 10 in the UEFA Super Cup game against Sevilla on Wednesday and played the full 90 minutes. Guardiola played close to a full-strength side in Athens, so this could be something we see more of. He is a first-team player for Guardiola but of course, we know that doesn’t mean he will start every game.
With Newcastle at home next, and the fact City are pretty much fixture-proof, Foden could be the perfect asset to get you ahead of the pack. Plus, City’s fixtures until Gameweek 7 are very kind as they play Sheffield United (A), Fulham (H), West Ham (A), Forest (H) and Wolves (A).
Many will be put off Foden because of ‘Pep Roulette’ but those who take a chance on him could profit. He scored 11 goals and made seven assists last season in only 22 starts, so is a fantastic option when on the pitch. He is currently owned only by 8.7 per cent of managers.
Being patient vs Being aggressive
The importance of sticking to well-established assets and not being blinded by the ‘shiny new toys’ to arrive this summer from other leagues or a player who scored the previous week is often undervalued in FPL. Timing is key in this game and striking the right balance between showing patience and being aggressive is important.
In FPL there really is no right or wrong way to play, especially if you just want to have fun. Also, sometimes we are forced into making transfers because of injuries, suspensions and out of favour players.
There is always an opportunity to capitalise when others are being conservative.
Sometimes such a chance presents itself. For example, if you started the season with De Bruyne, you will have to remove him now and there are plenty of options for a replacement.
Also when you do make transfers with high upside, you should try to aim for calculated risks. Look for players with good fixtures who are either proven or have potential and are owned by few people.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
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