Need some last minute advice and transfer tips ahead of gameweek 7? We’ve got you covered.
Last week, many of the big names failed to impress. Palmer (£10.7m) was the pick of the bunch scoring 4 goals while many others blanked, such as Haaland (£15.4m) and Saka (£10.1m) blanked.
This week there are more favourable looking fixtures for the main contenders. I would order them as first, Haaland at home to Fulham, second Saka at home to Southampton and then (based on his big haul last week) I would put Palmer in 3rd slot with a game at home to Nottingham Forest, edging out Salah who is away to Crystal Palace.
All are good choices and could haul this week so it could be a high scoring week.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) has had his suspension overturned after his red card last week so is available for Man United’s away game to Villa. Personally I have already lost patience with him and United but if you’ve kept the faith until now I would advise selling. He’s too expensive for the returns so far.
Image source: skysports
Rico Lewis (£4.7m) played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League this week while Gvardiol (£5.9m) played 80 minutes. This could mean rotation for either of them. The price of Lewis makes him an obvious hold and worth the risk – his risk of rotation comes with the territory but his price is so low and attacking upside so high it’s worth accepting. Gvardiol could be worth a switch to an Arsenal defender as I think longer term there’s more points from cleansheets there. Gabriel (£6.2m) is the ideal switch given he’s more nailed on to play than Gvardiol.
Let’s talk about Phil Foden (£9.2m). He started in Europe this week as well so could this spell a run in the team? He’ll be a great differential so timing could be great (with injuries to De Bruyne, Rodri and Bobb his game time is more likely). We know what he can do from previous seasons so he’s one to watch…maybe worth a gamble for the more daring FPL manager. City’s fixtures are great too!
Mbeumo (£7.4m) continues to impress and the fixtures look great – one all managers should be targeting.
Among the cheaper midfield options, my favourite is Rogers (£5.3m) of Aston Villa. He seems to be keeping his place upfront with Watkins (£9.1m) despite Duran’s (£6.2m) goals from the bench. Returns haven’t been great so far but he’s building an understanding with Watkins which I think will increasingly bear fruit.
Semenyo (£5.7m) of Bournemouth is another popular pick with a home game to Leicester up next. The follwing 3 fixtures are tough though (Arsenal, Aston Villa and City) so it may not be the time to bring him in unless you are happy to bench him for a few weeks.
Smith-Rowe (£5.8m) remains another great budget option but Man City away this week followed by Villa mean timing isn’t great. After that, fixtures are kinder but he’s probably one to rotate on and off the bench depending on the game.
I would now place McNeil (£5.6m) ahead of Semenyo and Smith-Rowe if I was buying a budget midfielder this week. Fixtures are better and he’s been heavily involved in all of Everton’s attacking play. I’m a little skeptical that he won’t be able to maintain the form but fixtures give him a good chance.
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Spurs are looking quite good and Solanke (£7.6m) owners will have been pleased to see him scoring quite regularly now. Some players that are flying under the radar but could be great picks are Maddison (£7.5m) and Johnson (£6.4m). Upcoming fixtures are good, with Brighton next up (who have struggled to keep the goals out). It could be a great time to invest in Spurs assets.
Upfront, Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) benefits from the same nice fixture run as McNeil so is a great budget option. It’s a close choice between him and Chris Wood (£6.1m) especially since both are on penalties.
Managers many not be looking at Ipswich but they’ve made a decent start despite some touch opening games. They now have kinder fixtures which could benefit them as FPL picks. Liam Delap (£5.6m) got 2 goals last week and is another great budget attacker. I wouldn’t underestimate him and Ipswich.
Our transfer targets:
Raya in goal is without a doubt still the best GK pick in the game. He comes at a premium price but is worth it. At home to Southampton this week makes him an easy pick.
Defence:
Mostly bargains in defence but fairly assured of minutes (Lewis the exception but the attacking upside makes it worthwhile). Chelsea have looked quite solid and a home games pushes me towards the cheap Colwill while Pinnock finishes the back 3. He’s a nailed on starter and a decent fixture at home to Wolves.
Midfield:
We’ve stacked the midfield. Palmer and Saka are the premiums and Rogers makes this all affordable. Great fixtures all round.
Mbeumo is almost a must have right now and has been so consistent.
Finally Johnson can’t seem to stop scoring and is up against a Brighton defence that has struggled.
Forwards:
Solanke makes the rest of the front 2 with Liam Delap on the bench. Solanke’s form has picked up and like Johnson has a relatively good fixture.
Haaland gets the captaincy again and after blanking last week I expect a response. A fairly nice fixture at home makes him hard to look past.
As nearly always, I’d love to include Watkins with a game against a struggling Man United, you feel his pace will trouble them a lot. I’ve stacked the midfield instead but could downgrade to squeeze Ollie in.
Get your thoughts over to us, tell us what you plan to do and any questions you want answering to @FPLwithStu on X.
