From a fantastic GW1 to a terrible GW2. Only 2 teams managed to keep clean sheets in GW2 in Sheffield United and Everton. I had Dean Henderson on my bench which I regret since I was kind of hoping that Guardiola would try and block Spurs from scoring any goals. Pep actually did manage to limit Tottenham’s chances as they made only 3 attempts with 2 being on target. For the past two seasons I’ve been heavily relying on my defence to get me points and it has become a trend this season. Managers will without a doubt look into getting cheaper defenders and boosting up their midfield or strike force. The GW2 results have tempted a lot of managers to use their wildcards but I’d recommend you’ll to wait out a couple of game weeks until we’ve got a clearer picture.
Players to look forwards to…
1. AFC Bournemouth
M. Fraser (7.4), F. Wilson (7.9), F. King (6.5)
Fraser has been one of the most disappointing picks so far but I still back him to deliver. Bournemouth face Manchester City and naturally we’d like to avoid picking a cherry for your eleven. I find it a bit difficult to remove these Bournemouth lads as their upcoming fixtures tempt me but for now Wilson and King seem to be the safest options.
2. Arsenal
D. Kolasinac (5.4), M. Ceballos (5.6), F. Lacazette (9.5), F. Aubameyang 11.0)
Another team with a difficult fixture, Arsenal play Liverpool at Anfield, I really want to add Pepe’s name to the list to as he could be handed a full debut and maybe even better chances of scoring some points. I’m not sure whether the three Laca, Auba and Pepe will start together or what approach Unai Emery will take vs Liverpool. Ceballos had a great game vs Burnely assisting two goal while Aubameyang looked sharp often making runs on that left wing. Arsenal won their first away game of the season vs Newcastle and kept a clean sheet too but Liverpool is a different ball game. If Auba could start on that left wing again this week, he could give Trent a tough time and maybe rope in a few assists too.
3. Aston Villa
GK. Heaton (4.5), D. Mings (4.5), M. Grealish (6.0)
Aston Villa face Everton who haven’t scored much in pre-season and have scored only 1 goal in the Premier League so far. Heaton has looked great in goal but failed to keep clean sheets in his previous two games. The game vs the Toffees could be a good opportunity for Heaton and Mings to keep clean sheets. Jack Grealish earned himself an assist vs Bournemouth and being the captain finds himself in a tough spot in leading Villa to crack that Everton defence.
4. Brighton and Hove Albion
GK. Ryan (4.6), D. Duffy (5.0), Trossard (6.0), F. Murray (6.0)
Another goalkeeper alongside Tom Heaton who could keep a clean sheet is Mat Ryan. Southampton got lucky to a goal vs Liverpool and their forward line hasn’t done well so far. Trossard and Murray could try finding the back of the net to a side that have already conceded five goals this season.
5. Burnley
M. Gudmundsson (6.0), F. Barnes (6.6)
Ashley Barnes could continue his impressive start to the season vs Wolves. Wolverhampton tends to give their all vs the top 6 but when it comes to the rest they seem to take down a notch. A Barnes goal and a Gudmundsson assist could be incoming.
6. Chelsea
M. Mount (6.1), M. Pulisic (7.5), F. Giroud (7.0)
Under Frank Lampard Chelsea haven’t had a great start to season but the game away to Norwich could earn the blues and Lampard their first 3 points. Mason Mount continues to impress and Lampards confidence in him in reflecting on the pitch. Pulisic and Giroud could find themselves on the score sheet too. Giroud is a gut feeling.
7. Crystal Palace
Palace have looked poor this season. The team found it difficult to break past newly-promoted Sheffield United. They haven’t look great forward and neither at the back, which make Hodgson look like he’s heading for the sack. No palace players make the list.
8. Everton
GK. Pickford (5.6), D. Digne (6.0)
Another clean sheet for the Toffee’s this week? could be so. Digne has been in a great form and is a must have at this moment. Everton’s frontline? They seem to struggle getting goals and I’m finding it difficult to understand why.
9. Leicester City
GK. Schmeichel (4.5), M. Maddison (7.0), F. Vardy (8.9)
Leicester City dominated Chelsea in their last game but what the ……. Is Vardy doing? Managers are opting for Pukki who is almost 3 million cheaper but hold on people. Leicester play Sheffield, Newcastle and Bournemouth in their next three games and that could make owning Vardy a differential. Maddison seems to be Leicester’s most dangerous player on the field vs Chelsea and if he performs in the same way vs Sheffield United, he’s going to grab some serious points.
10. Liverpool
M.Salah (12.5), M. Mane (11.5)
Boy, as long as Adrian is in that goal the Liverpool backline won’t have the same confidence as they had in Allison. Mane has been a beast, his work ethic has impressed me and I personally feel he surpass Salah’s point tally but Salah takes most of the penalties so…
11. Manchester City
M. de Bruyne (9.6), M. B. Silva (7.9), M. Sterling (12.2), F. Aguero (12.0)
As soon as the match kicked off vs Tottenham Kevin de Bruyne meant business. KDB grabbed two assists and had several attempts at goal plus picked on pin point passes. Bernardo Silva on the other hand wasn’t quiet lucky but I hope his dribbling, crosses and shots will be converted vs Bournemouth. I don’t think I need to say much about Sterling as he’s already shown on the field that he could contend for the Balon d’Or. I’m serious when I say that because he has been phenomenal since the pre-season.
Zinchenko alert! Mendy is back in training.
12. Manchester United
GK. De Gea (5.6), D. Wan-Bissaka (5.6), M. Pogba (8.6), M. Martial (7.7), F. Rashford (8.7)
Manchester United have been deemed to beat Crystal Palace with ease and keep a clean sheet due to Palace’s recent woes. Despite Pogba missing a penalty vs Wolves he had a decent game but the real question everybody wants to know is whether it’s going to be Pogba or Rashford on the penalty duties. Meanwhile Martial and Rashford have been forming a partnership and with no Lukaku or an unfit Sanchez there to compete for a forward spot, it gives the lads more minutes which also translates to higher chances of grabbing points.
13. Newcastle United
Like Crystal Palace, Newcastle are just another club who you’d want to avoid looking into. They play Tottenham next, and you know what that means… a Jonjoe Shelvey red card.
But seriously Sean Longstaff’s one to watch.
14. Norwich City
F. Pukki (6.8)
A hattrick from the lad, what more can I say? A poor Chelsea side. #PreyforPukki
15. Sheffield United
GK. Henderson (4.5), F. McGoldrick (5.5)
If Deano keeps a clean sheet vs Leicester, the Manchester United youth product will slot in into many teams. I’m not going to rule out a clean sheet but he’ll have to beware of Maddison and Vardy.
16. Southampton
F. Adams (5.9)
Another poor team searching to earn its first point/s, but playing Brighton away is always difficult. Che Adams name keeps ringing in my head like Olivier Giroud.
17. Tottenham Hotspurs
D. Kyle Walker-Peters (5.0), M. Son (9.5), F. Kane (11.0)
A potential clean sheet for KWP, cheap and guaranteed to start. SON IS BACK! The FPL favourite is back from a 2 game suspension and could hit the ground running as they play Newcastle United. Kane will be heavily captained by those who own him as he could get some big points.
18. Watford
F. Deulofeu (6.4)
I’m really hoping Deulofeu could do his magic vs West Ham. Watford are yet to score a goal this season and maybe you know maybe… it could be vs the Hammers.
19. West Ham United
M. Lanzini (6.5)
The argentine managed to get an assist in his last game and if he rediscovers his from that could be upgraded to a goal against a mediocre Watford.
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers
F. Jota (6.5), F. Jimenez (7.5)
If only Jota could replicate his Europa League form it would’ve put a smile on the faces of many managers but so far he been frustrating. Both Jota and Jimenez were on the score sheet vs Torino and featured for around 70-75 minutes.
