Fantasy Football Tips Gameweek 2
Hello everyone, it’s great to be back writing for another season – though, with this being the earliest in August I have written an article, it’s definitely been the hardest to write!
So, looking back to Gameweek 1 and there is a bit of a correlation between the most owned players and points scored, in that hardly any of the favourites among the FPL competitors went on to score highly! De Gea, Pickford, Trippier, De Bruyne and Kane collectively managed five points between them. Look, then, at the highest points scorers and McCarthy is owned by just 1.4 per cent, Mendy has got 13.4 per cent of managers putting their trust in him and Wilson has just 5.3 per cent. So, don’t feel bad if your first week didn’t go to plan, a lot of other managers will have fared the same or even worse!
Let’s say Gameweek 2 is where the season really starts, though a big congratulations to those of you high up or even leading your leagues already.
Goalkeepers
First up on this tips article so early in the season is Man City’s Ederson, who costs £5.5m and is the fourth most-owned goalkeeper. Sure you’re spending £5.5m on a goalkeeper, when money is particularly tight as we try and have the best squad outfield, however you are spending that dosh on a sure fire starter in the Cityzens’ defence, whereby other players may be under Pep’s famous rotation.
Well, he goes into this gameweek on the back of an eight-point haul from a clean sheet, saves and a bonus point for good measure after the 2-0 win at the Emirates. Looking ahead to this game, the boys in blue face a Huddersfield side that was quite convincingly put aside by an uncertain Chelsea team and have the unenviable position of being one of the favourites to be relegated come the end of the season. With no disrespect to Wolves, Newcastle, Fulham, Cardiff and Brighton, you have to look all the way to Gameweek 8 for Man City’s next tough test when they face Liverpool and so Ederson could sit in your team and happily not move.
Hugo Lloris may not have kept a clean sheet against Newcastle, however don’t let that put you off him as his Spurs side welcome Fulham to Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Fresh from his World Cup exploits with France, the shot stopper is a great way to connect your team with the Spurs defence as, like Ederson, he costs just £5.5m and will be a sure-fire way in.
The Whites may have spent big over the summer, however those new names failed to find the back of the net against a Crystal Palace team that is continuing its resurgent form under Roy Hodgson. That could very well be repeated this weekend as the boys from Craven Cottage face a Spurs team that has had the opposite spending tactics, with no transfers in or out leading many to question what their final league position will be – meaning they will want to go out all guns blazing to silence the critics. After Fulham, Man United, Watford and Liverpool lie in wait.
It goes without saying that, like previous seasons, I need to recommend a more budget friendly goalkeeper after coming up with those suggestions. Well, Lukasz Fabianski is my next proposal for your consideration, as we get used to him now wearing a West Ham strip after his time at Swansea and Arsenal even further before that. It’s fair to say this guy was the main reason the Swans had any hope of staying up last season – was it not for him, they would have faced the drop a lot sooner than when they actually did.
After the hope before the season, could the Hammers also face the same fate as they were well and truly set aside by Liverpool in the 4-0 loss at Anfield? Well, only time will tell, however their fixture this weekend as Bournemouth come to the London Stadium could be a kick starter to their campaign and move the team off the foot of the table. Again, like his time at Swansea, Fabianski will get a great chance for save points and even the odd clean sheet.
Defenders
So that my predictions aren’t over-populated by Spurs and Man City players as first picks, Nathan Ake is my natural next choice. The Bournemouth centre back costs £5.0m and managed to keep a clean sheet and gain two bonus points in the 2-0 win over Fulham, underlining the importance of the Cherries keeping hold of him permanently in a club record signing after his loan spell from Chelsea. Whilst there are cheaper players surrounding him like Steve Cook and Adam Smith, who cost £4.5m and scored six points in the same match, I believe you do get what you pay for – especially as the Dutch international isn’t afraid to get forward on goal either, having scored twice and registered three assists last season.
Indeed, it’s that forward-facing perspective that makes Ake a promising prospect against West Ham – even after I just recommended Lukasz Fabianski! One of his assists and goals last season came against the Hammers in the 3-3 draw on Boxing Day last year, in fact. Big spending Everton’s trip to the south coast is then one week later.
As mentioned within the introduction, Benjamin Mendy rewarded those relatively few managers who had placed their trust in the now £6.1m defender. Usually, £6.0m – as it was then – is a lot of money to spend on a left back in your squad, however 15 points from one fixture as a result of two assists, one clean sheet and three bonus points is not a bad start in getting a return on your investment. Indeed, over 157,000 FPL managers agree with that sentiment already, as he’s the second-most transferred-in defender behind the bargain basement Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Unlike a number of his colleagues, the Frenchman has got a good grip on his place in the starting XI, especially if he keeps up with the kind of form he demonstrated against Arsenal – having only played one World Cup game. With Huddersfield next in line, it may be a bit much to expect the same amount of points, however a clean sheet still can’t be ruled out as he is eager to make up for so much missed time last campaign, following a cruciate ligament rupture.
Next in line is Ricardo Pereira, who costs £5.0m. Whilst Leicester may have conceded two goals in the opening game of the season against Man United, this guy was partly responsible for the Red Devils’ clean sheet cancellation as he set up Jamie Vardy’s goal and came away from Old Trafford with four points as a result. One of quite a few Portuguese players to now grace the Premier League, after a €25 million transfer from Porto, the winger / full back has potential to be a great differential with only 1.6 per cent of FPL managers having him in their team.
This week, Wolves are the first squad to come to the King Power Stadium in the 2018/19 season, with a journey to Southampton on the cards for the Foxes seven days later.
Well, after alluding to him earlier in this tips article, it’s no surprise that my final defender pick is Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Costing just £4.1m, this guy rewarded those who had not only picked him but also put their faith in awarding a starting place. Even better, still, for the FPL managers who had him substitute a player with zero minutes to their name like Kieran Trippier, the most selected defender. Whilst Wan-Bissaka may not be given a starting place for the whole season as competition for places in the squad intensifies, make the most of the current period that has the added bonus of great form by bringing the Croydon lad into your team – especially while he is so cheap.
A very tricky game against Liverpool lies in wait this weekend, though the Eagles’ record at Anfield isn’t actually that bad – a 1-0 loss in August last year followed two consecutive 2-1 wins for the team from South London, along with a 3-1 victory back in May 2015. After that, it’s Watford, Southampton, Huddersfield and Newcastle by the end of September.
Midfielders
First on my list of essential midfielders probably doesn’t shock you after his antics against West Ham. Sadio Mane, one of only four players in that area of the pitch who has gone up in price so far, has been purchased by more than 155,000 FPL managers – and a repeat of something along the lines of two goals and three bonus points is bound to push the ownership higher than the 20.7 per cent it is now.
That said, you can’t be surprised he did so well against West Ham when, as recently as last season, he recorded two assists in the 4-1 victory on 4 November and a goal on the return fixture just four months later. So, he likes playing against West Ham. Looking ahead to Liverpool’s visit to Selhurst Park, he scored a goal in the exact same fixture last year and also recorded the solitary goal in the 1-0 victory at Anfield. So, he also likes playing Crystal Palace. Add to that the fact that he scored in all three of Liverpool’s first trio of games last season and you have yourself a player full of points potential, if history is anything to go by.
Christian Eriksen is sure to have disappointed a good few FPL managers as they opted him over the likes of Mane, Pogba and even Spurs colleague Alli, who recorded points hauls of 16, 10 and 9 respectively – rather better than the Dane’s two points away at the Toon. Sure, he came close in the actual match to recording something more decent, however, as we know all too well, close isn’t close enough! So, fast forward to Fulham coming to Wembley and Eriksen doesn’t have a bad record against the West London team – only two appearances but with four assists in that time as he played in a 3-0 FA Cup win a couple of years ago and a 3-1 league victory the last time the Cottagers were in the Premier League.
Backing up my case for the Spurs number 23 is his team’s record against Fulham. Of the 96 times they have ever played each other, Spurs have won more than half of those at 49 and drawn 29. In fact, of the past 10 encounters between the two sides, North London has been victorious over the West eight times, putting away an average of 1.9 goals in each match.
After starting the previous season so brightly, also under the management of Marco Silva, Richarlison showed he’s also able to repeat history and reward the managers who forked out £6.5m on an Everton midfielder. Scoring both goals in the 2-2 draw away at a bouncing Molineux, every FPL manager who owned him or drunkenly purchased him while watching the match – it was after 5:30pm, after all – suddenly held their breath as he appeared in pain holding his calf on the pitch.
Thankfully, he walked off without too much of a limp and then was free to speak to the cameras afterwards. Since then, he has visited a fan in hospital who was injured in the Wolves fixture and the club has said he is fit to face Southampton when they come to Goodison Park this weekend. The £6.6m player is yet to record any major points haul against the Saints, however his first league match in front of the home crowd is bound to make him pull out all the stops to impress and get into their good books.
I have to say, Chelsea do not really appeal to me FPL wise, at the moment. Whilst they may have put aside Huddersfield 3-0 the weekend just gone, the club does seem to be once again gathering headlines for the wrong reasons as players throw their toys out the pram. One of the Stamford Bridge collective, however, was one of those I can honestly say almost made it into my FPL team but consequently didn’t, leading to much regret as he recorded nine points against The Terriers. Pedro has come into this season on the back of very successful friendlies where he scored against Perth Glory and Inter Milan – and it looks like that form is continuing.
Costing just £6.5m, the player has been brought in by 29,000 FPL managers and so his ownership of just 2.8 per cent is bound to rise. This week, the team face Arsenal who have already conceded twice, whilst matches against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Cardiff could have good points potential if the Spaniard keeps up his form and encourages Sarri to keep his place in the starting XI.
A few seasons now, Watford have had a player who becomes an FPL essential up until Christmas, where they suddenly forget how to play football and that’s that for the rest of the season. We can remember it with the likes of Richarlison, Ighalo and Deeney over the years gone by. Well, Roberto Pereyra (£6.1m) hit the ground running in the 2-0 win over Brighton in Gameweek 1, scoring both goals and coming off the pitch in the 86th minute with three bonus points under the belt. Could he perhaps be the next in their hall of fame? Turf Moor is the next location in this potential story, followed by a visit by Crystal Palace. Watch this space.
Forwards
Sergio Aguero is the first pick in the forwards section, though there has been talk about whether he’ll start. I mean, it’s Pep and rotation – something that goes together as well as our very own Harry and Lloyd – and so you wouldn’t be surprised. But, let’s just presume, for the sake of this article, that he is going to start and that it just looks so right to have the captain’s armband on him at home to Huddersfield. The Argentinian has played the Terriers three times and, in the 255 minutes he has faced them, has scored three and assisted one. He was also out injured when the two teams played out that 0-0 draw last season.
Not bad statistics. Mix in the fact Man City have some fantastic fixtures coming up after Huddersfield as they face Wolves, Newcastle, Fulham, Cardiff and Brighton and you have yourself a great opportunity for points to match the £11m investment.
I just can’t resist including Jamie Vardy, even if it’s just so I can type the phrase ‘Vardy Party’. Well, he may have missed most of the first match against Man United, but that didn’t stop the player from coming on and scoring in the last minute to wipe out De Gea and co’s clean sheet – and the points of a good few FPL players, no doubt. The seasons of 2015-16 and 2017-18 saw him score more than 20 goals in each – will he do the same this season? Well, only time will tell, however with Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Huddersfield four of the five teams the Foxes will face, he has a real opportunity to get some more goals early on and really get going.
The final pick in the forwards section is Josh King, who costs £6.5m. The Bournemouth player was one a good number of FPL managers picked and then hoped was among the points when they saw that the Cherries had scored twice in the victory over Cardiff. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as Wilson grabbed the points in preparation to troll every player who then brings him into their team and does exactly naff all. After the trip to the London Stadium this weekend, a fixture that has seen 13 goals in the last three meetings, the Cherries face Everton, Chelsea and then Leicester.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Tips Gameweek 2. This article was written by Swirly
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***NEW ARTICLE – PLAYER TIPS GW2***
Many thanks to Swirly for his maiden article this season. Looks wonderful mate.
Cracking work Swirly!! Thanks.
Interesting to see no City mids feature at all…
So it seems Bilva’s price is rising tonight… Does anyone want to talk me out of Mahrez to Bilva?
Not only do I think he gets more minutes, that 1.5 will go a long way.
ps sorry for harping on about the same move again and again 😉
Do it and give us a rest 😉
Kidding mate. I dont like it but if you have grander plans for that money then it’s certainly not the worst downgrade in the world is it? I think Mahrez will be hugely influential this season.
If it feels ‘right’ to you then you have to do it.
I’m mostly tempted as I’m not sure it’s even that big a downgrade! Especially now with KDB’s injury, I can see Bilva being close to a must have, given his price. I can see him scoring as many as any other city mid.
Sounds like you’re doing it then.
I am… I just want you to agree with me 😉
I agree
(that you probably want that!)
I don’t think he’ll score as many as the other City mids.
Is that cos you think he’ll get less minutes? 112 points in 1514 minutes last season. Surely he plays loads more this season given his form, Dilva’s age and KDB’s injury?
Banjo
What worries me is you, or any of us actually, trying to guess what Pep will do.
And if it was a wildcard selection knowing what we know tonight and seeing what he’s done in the last two, then yeah Silva probably would be in.
I think that’s the substitution effect. He only had one shot last weekend, and made no key passes.
I’m considering KDB —> Bilva but don’t know about Mahrez —> Bilva… Could backfire big time too, if Mahrez goes on a run… But I’d be tempted to bank that 1.5m like you’re saying!
Right, can I get one person tell me this is a good idea, so I can justify it?!!!
If we were all on WC’s right now would we not all have Bilva?!
Yeah, probably 😉
Sure you may aswell buy him mate.
I’m not convinced.
I’m not convinced but I have him
I’d be looking at Sterling more, due to his low ownership – and B Silva.
But I’m not wildcarding. And I own B Silva.
Banjo – Bernardo is a beatiful enabler atm. He’ll fade away at some point. I have him. Mahrez we don’t really know what he is in this team. You bought him for a reason and 1 game is not enough. Him being subed out before 60´´ is however a worry so yeah I’d consider selling him next week if he blanks again. But not for Bernardo; I’d be looking at Sterling. He’s the danger there and is basically playing OOP. In other words, save and reassess Mahrez situation but, if he neds to go, go for Sterlo.
Hey Banjo…
Im not convinced either…
Mahrez seems to be playing a more upfront role than Bilva…
At least it looked that way to me…as per formation and what I saw from the highlights…
I would leave it as it is.
But!
In case you are determined to offload Riyad – > I would only do it to get Sterling!
For anyone who cares (which is probably nobody), I’m going to listen to the advise of all of you and leave Bilva alone (for now) and stick with Mahrez. There’s not much point asking questions if I just ignore you all!!!!
Uh oh. Someone prepare the disclaimer for the site when Banjo sues for missing out on Bernardo’s brace
Who cares Banjo of course we care it’s a risk rotation but should play nk Gw I thk LG tearm Mahrez will secure a place
Not to complicate things for you even more banjo…especially as you say you’ve made a decision (…although you do sound unconvinced again further down the page) but I’m with you on Bilva! It might be because I have him myself and spent a long time trying to convince myself to take a punt on him before GW1….but his stats per minute last season, good preseason, Peps glorification of him, the money saved and now the fact KDB is out all add up that he’s an amazing pick to have in your team!!
I may be an over optimistic owner but if your gut tells you to do something …go with it!! If it works out you’ll be well chuffed with yourself but if he does well and you missed the boat you’ll be kicking yourself and saying ‘I shoulda gone with my gut’ for next few weeks!
Ps …think the midfield will be Bilva, Fernandinho, Dilva(when fit) till KDB back …Gundy rotating with the aging Dino who Pep was trying to get back up/replacement for in the TW. Lot more rotation options to worry bout further up the pitch!
Not worth a transfer in my opinion. Keep the man city mid you have and see how it rolls.
It Bernardo does well this weekend then make the change and reinvest with your 2nd transfer. If Mahrez does well then take points and watch his value increase.
Hey Banjo, I’m entering this debate a bit late.
As some people said, if I was on a wildcard for instance at the moment, I would be looking at Sterling in the city mids. (I own B Silva at the moment). Make that what you want for your Mahrez to B Silva move
Hey Banjo. Great start to the season your our boys.
If I were you I would hold the transfer. See how City play this weekend and make a couple of transfers next GW
Actually, I have a feeling that Foden will play the KDB role while Bilva will rotate with Dilva. Not tempted enough to take the gamble that he will be a regular in that role and make a transfer. Will keep an eye out for team news and if Foden starts, will pull the trigger.
Swirly
That was a great rundown on the old Tips there.
I noticed myself that Ake pinched those BPs on Saturday. Nice to see you noticed too. Decent offensive record last year however I think you’ll be pushed for anyone to buy a Bournemouth defender at that price but it is a top spot, well done.
Thanks mate.
Bou def you are kidding there arnt you GP I must admit I’m a fan of Howe & I like the way he sets up his teams
+1 (I think?)
Many thanks Swirls. Brilliant tips here and I’ll need them with the KDB news today.
Lads what should I do with KDB? I’ve come up with some ideas what do you think
Kdb out to:
A. Mane
B. Bilva
C. Any other City mid but I don’t know who
D. Sterling and Eriksen to Pererya (-4)
E. Keita or any other 7.5 mid and Kamara to Zaha (-4)
Matt, stick your team up if you don’t mind please mate.
Sorry thought it had. Here you go mate. Not much on the bench in the first place so really need to change.
Lots of faith in Wolves there Matt.
Yeah I’m not sure on it anymore.
Thanks Matt. You could cut this a different way and I think I’d be tempted to see it as an opportunity to prep for upgrading up top perhaps. How about a complete ‘downgrade’ to say Pereyra and releasing some cash? Don’t know what it potentially gets you but have a look see, just a thought anyway.
Cheers Init. That’s what I was thinking with option E. That would leave me with 1.5 itb and I could use that the week after to upgrade elsewhere. I’m just not sure if having less City attacking cover is a good idea.
Ah ok, I didn’t actually read the options
Have now. That’s nothing like what I suggested!
A or B, no need to start a hitting factory… Mane is a safe choice, with Bilva you could get more price rises and that 2m would no doubt come handy sooner or later!
I don’t think Bilva will be nailed though. I think the only one nailed in that City midfield now is Fernandinho and I’m not getting him.
If you want nailed, better go for Mane… I’m just saying nailed doesn’t necessarily be the better choice… Bilva is 2m cheaper, so you don’t need to compare Bilva to Mane per se, Bilva doesn’t have to start every game in order to be worth it, he might still rack up enough points!
I’m not saying Bilva is obviously the better choice, I have to make the same decision now and I’m a bit confused… But leaning towards Bilva at the moment.
Yeah it’s probably between Bilva and Mane for me too. Just not sure if now might me the best time star strengthen overall.
If you’ve read any other post you’ll get no prizes for guessing my vote 😉
Tough call between Mane & one of the city mids though. Not sure who’s gonna get more minutes between Sane & Mahrez, hence why I’d lean towards Bilva. Oddly, my gut feeling is that he’s getting most gametime now.
BUY HIM.
Well get him then.
B and use the change to upgrade Jota to Mane next week – if you have enough change, that is.
Let’s get serious Matt This is a very good team I thk I would do KDB to Stirling I thk he will get more points this season, not sure of the cash situation because I’m worse for wear
Would need to pluck a mil out of somewhere mate. Fancy giving me a loan? 😉
No problem mate
Fraser & Vardy?
Matt, suppose you don’t have anything itb? I would try to get Sterlo but I wouldn’t be taking any hits just now so either bank it and reassess how to do that next week or, given that you don’t have Firmino, just get Mane and reassess Erik’s situation and how to make him into sterlo.
Whos nailed is that even a word I’m nailed tonight I’m knocking a nail in is anyone nailed ?????
Wlne Wednesday Silvers ?
Yes all get round here
Whatever it is I’ll have whatever you’re having 😆
Matt,
Listen to Init. KdB to Pereyra or Richarlison. King to Lacazette next week for Arsenal’s great run of fixtures.
‘A’ without knowing what other City cover taking him out leaves you with, Matt.
Reply^^
Cheers mate. Just stuck the team above. I thought I had… oops.
I just don’t feel comfortable having only Kun as my attacking cover for City. I think he’ll get rotated to much.
Mane is pretty safe from rotation in comparison to any of the City lads so that’s one bonus.
If it’s to be a City player and you don’t mind spending the cash, would go Mahrez.
Cheers GP, so would you rather spread the money and upgrade elsewhere?
Init makes a very interesting point here. There do appear to be some nice options at a lower price which could help you out elsewhere.
i.e. KDB to Pereyra with an eye on King to Firmino might be good.
I may be inclined to go that actually. Beefs up your strikers.
Yeah that’s something I can do. I might even bring in Laca but that’s more risky.
Can I have a spell checker or another glass off wine
You can have another glass of wine by all means.
Just keep imbibing. And activate the wildcard. If you haven’t already. We’re here to guide you towards the light.
All attacking cover from City has its risks, as does not owning their players in the fixture idyll they are about to enter.
Managers fancying a real punt could I suppose drop Salah for Sterling (as long as they have Mane) and then reap potentially huge rewards if Sterling out-points Salah.
The Kun to Auba / Kane (if you have some dosh stashed under a mattress) is possible. But I’m inclined to hold Kun for now.
I had some vague thoughts – not for this wek – of dropping Kun for Vardy and then selling my soul to get Sterling into the mid somehow. But the complexity of that, which also includes Ings in the mix probably, is too much to contemplate for now.
‘week’, oh for an edit button.
You’re not getting an edit button.
Know, I no.
It’s a good idea, granted, but I only have so many ‘IT favour tokens’ and I think I used the majority by forcing through the Recent Comments thing the other day!
It’s always wise to stay on the right side of IT.
I would downgrade to fraser/pedro and beef up that forward line Tamara to Arnautovic so you could play 343 not having to rely on Boly so much