Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 2
By the time that you read this, things — fixtures — will have happened! Certain players (most probably) brought in double-digit hauls for their owners; several favourites (most likely) got booked. The culprits may well seem obvious now, but it wasn’t even remotely clear on Saturday morning.
Indeed, whilst I’m writing to you from the past — well, that can be said of any given passage, but it’s often fresh off the print — we’ve now observed ~2.105% of the new [F]PL season, albeit not a full Gameweek yet. That leaves us with just under 98% of the season to chase: almost quite literally, then, all to play for! One step at a time, though, or perhaps three to four steps; Premier League fixtures (even in the crowds’ absences) will never cease to function as our guiding lights.
This might just be my first Fixtures article, but you know the drill already. As always, take the bold statements that follow this with a pinch of salt. Then flush them all down your now-briny toilet.
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
But first up that all important Fixture Tracker itself…
FIXTURE TRACKER LINK
Worth Chasing
The pair of elephants lurking in the room (as per Swirly’s reference last week) both need addressing here, but first off, it’s only fair to feature the best upcoming fixtures of all…
Everton — West Brom (H), Crystal Palace (A), Brighton (H)
You never know how The Toffees will perform in a given match. Again, that can be said of any given team, granted. Given their [outfield] squad, however, this is a baffling bunch. Did any of you see that Spurs (A) result coming? Turns out they are baffling too.
Anyway, caveats aside, this revamped squad (James Rodríguez in with a jerky four-point hit?) now faces three sides that should all be primarily aiming to survive. For a team with Ancelotti’s presumably high ambitions, this lot should yield seven to nine points, ‘should’ being the major operative word. You probably don’t have space for Digne-esque punts, but Fixtures articles don’t care.
Manchester United — Crystal Palace (H), Brighton (A), Spurs (H)
Once more, here’s a team that now faces three sides that should all be primarily aiming to survive. No more digs from now on, no matter how easy the fixture schedulers have made them. I’ll try…
Manchester United are back from their summer holidays. Of course, sadly, not everybody returned on their expected flight; in contrast, The Fridge just feels thankful to be back at all, and likely never wants to leave the safety of his kitchen again. All of the rest should be charged up and raring to go. Solskjær was driving pretty smoothly in the closing stages of the prior season and I wouldn’t be remotely surprised to see him storm towards pole position after their opening set. I’ve just realised that, beyond fridges having wheels, there’s absolutely no need for this F1 analogy.
Manchester City — Wolves (A), Leicester (H), Leeds (A)
More returns from summer, even better players, slightly harder fixtures. Granted, an initial away match at Wolves doesn’t scream out for a big GW2 transfer, yet no PL fixture necessarily stops this machine from scoring half a dozen goals. Leicester folded harder than James Milner’s fresh ironing after the post-lockdown resumption and, quite frankly, Leeds United might as well be carrying the first-time participation badge.
I expect some resilience from each of their opponents here, make no mistake, but I don’t expect much. Pep failed to pull off his three-consecutive-titles trick — he’ll instil his relentless hunger amongst everybody whom he selects to start now — we just need to figure that selection out…
Worth Running Away From
Any takers? Surely not. I’d be saving those ‘calculated gambles’ for much further down the line.
West Ham — Arsenal (A), Wolves (H), Leicester (A)
Another set of overlapping fixtures here. The teams in question, however, couldn’t be much more different — except for their questionable defences. Even then…
Never mind whatever the Newcastle result was — it can only get sadder from here.
Crystal Palace — Manchester United (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (A)
Since the restart, with Norwich out of the picture, no PL team’s looked worse. Only a solitary point claimed against Spurs (which, of course, means almost nothing) in their final eight matches. Things don’t look much better for Mitchell and co. now.
I just remembered that you can use factual stats to consolidate your viewpoints…
West Brom — Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Southampton (A)
One final team with two away trips in their next three matches. Which one has the worst deal? It’s nice to remember that you don’t need to worry about your choice: stick with Pereira; ditch for an emerging option who keeps winking at you; just don’t bring in another squad member from this tragic trio.
Probably Not Worth Losing Sleep Over
Southampton and Liverpool offer plenty of FPL options — you know their names — but it’s a pretty mixed bag for both at present. Leicester are now blessed with a very enticing pair of home fixtures that straddle their dreaded Etihad visit. Spurs cou——
I’m afraid that all that we’ve got enough space for! Good luck with your GW2 plans. I’ll catch you soon.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 2. This article was written by Jamesimmo.
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Hi all
Giving myself a headache thinking about my squad. Bowen wants to go, really, but only got £0.5m itb and not all too sure what to do with it.
My initial thought was Son to Rashford but I think that could go either way.
Ideally I think I’d hold the transfer and then do Auba to Sterling/KDB and Bowen to Greenwood next GW. However, I only have just enough to do it and KDB looks like he’s going up tonight and Bowen will likely go down by the end of the week unless transfers die down massively.
Would also like some Wolves next week too but that might have to wait!
Thoughts?
TIA
Hey mate, I like the idea of holding the transfer and honestly it’s what’s stopping me doing the Ings to Martial move. Only thing is with your team, KDB will likely go up tonight so you’ll be priced out plus I don’t see Greenwood starting. With the Bale rumours plus Greenwoods stupid antics recently, OGS might try punish him a small bit by leaving him on the bench.
Cheers, Matt. Tbh, I’ve resigned to having to get Sterling to make it work due to KDB going up, although I’m not necessarily opposed to that. I agree re: Greenwood which is why I’m m keen to wait a week.
My issue really is if Bowen drops before the weekend.
Well you can still go for KDB it would just mean you can’t get Greenwood but like I say I’m not sure that would even pay off.
I’d possibly be more inclined to do Auba to KDB and Bowen to Doucoure.
It would mean no United though.
This did cross my mind too
Just concerned that United were crammed into everyone’s teams after the restart with great rewards
Yeah that’s playing on my mind too! I suppose you could go with VDB as I think he starts in place of Greenwood for awhile and it could cover United until we see how they perform?
Is selling Ings for Martial crazy? It just feels weird especially with Southampton’s upcoming fixtures but really it’s easiest way of bringing in a United asset as I’ve left 0.5 itb.
I’m doing that move too (with the 0.5m) to get Utd cover. Bruno’s too much of a stretch at the moment.
Yeah it’s what I had pencilled in but just feels weird. I’m hoping Bruno doesn’t do as much this year and even if he does Martial is still involved in everything be it winning the penalty or finishing a pass from him!
I did it already, not necessarily because Ings is bad or won’t score points in the next few but because Martial just will be better and worth the 0.5m more… Also we were totally shite against Palace, although that hopefully will change soon, at least in July they knew how to play football!
That’s true. Plus I do have my eye on Mitro to Adams (if I can’t stretch to Wilson) so that could cover any Southie points.
I did that move as that’s what the plan was so thought I’d stick with it There’s a fair amount of players in my team that I’m not a massive fan of. I’m not thinking of a wildcard until the transfer window shuts and how new players fit in after that but I’m expecting that to be used GW6 or 7
I was hoping to hold my WC till later to GW16 but GW7 might end up being when I play mine!
I sold Werner to Martial, now am I crazy?
It’s actually not a bad idea looking at the statistics. The fact that Martial will only improve, he plays down the centre for United and is an established PL player.
Werner does look mighty good tho.
Not a bad move certainly. Seems like Chelsea would take some time to settle and United have excellent fixtures. Chelsea from gw3 is tempting though
Current team that got me a respectable 67 GW1
Im not overly worried about the team that is there but what looks like a very likely price rise in Bruno and KDB does. so
Option 1 hold off for 2 FTs next week.
Option 2 take a four point hit and do salah, aub for bruno kdb and have 2m in the bank
Option 3 WC and make a whole load of changes to bring in bruno martial kdb etc
I don’t like the idea of selling both Salah and Auba so I’d have to say option 1
Not 3. 1 or consider 2 but bring in Bruno for a -4 and keep Salah and Pea. Haverts and somone else out. Probably 1 makes sense just to wait.
Option 1 – definitely :good: !
Option 2 – no, in short
. Selling an in-form and newly-contracted Auba with WHU at home next seems nonsensical. Selling a rejuvenated Salah fits in the same bracket too – he’s vs Kepa next! Bruno and KDB are enticing, but see how GW2 goes before taking the plunge. Someone else might appear on your radar and we’ll have some more stats to work with for GW3.
Option 3 – the transfer window doesn’t close for another few weeks – people will come and go. WC is worth considering once we know the final squads, I think.
cheers all good to get the feedback.
Gotta be Option 1
So for Che and Man Utd cover. Which option:
1) Bruno and Werner
2) Martial and Havertz + 2.5m to spend
I’m going with Martial and Werner. Kai doesn’t seem to have the match fitness yet and Bruno is just very expensive
Same :drinks: !
I have 1. Bruno and Werner
Option 1
I’m thinking of doing nothing.
Thoughts please.
I like it! It’s rebellious!
Probably makes sense
And no, there isn’t supposed to be a picture attached to that 😉
In some respect the first FT is a Zugzwang. Some Man Utd cover is probably a good idea, but I suspect that you may have some already.
I don’t SF.
I like it! It’s also what I’m planning!
With your team or in life?
With my team Allan!
Thanks for looking out for me though :good:
You lazy boy
Same plan GP.
Is Timo Werners dead leg a serious case?
Not serious. Expect him to be fit for the Liverpool game