Need some last minute advice and transfer tips ahead of gameweek 8? We’ve got you covered.
Saka (£10.1m) was the star of the premiums last gameweek but his potential not to play due to injury casts doubt over whether he should get this week’s armband.
Arsenal’s press conference hasn’t really told us anything and Saka wasn’t pictured training yesterday. As an owner, I’m very tempted to sell – the next game is Bournemouth away, which is only ok, and then the 3 after are very tough (Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea). If the fixtures were better I’d consider not even a worry and keep him but it’s potentially 4 games where he’s not going to score much. The main alternative is probably Palmer (£10.8m) but is quite a lot more expensive.
Son (£9.8m) could be a great differential who may even be on penalties and a great way to get onto Spurs’ god fixture run. I would probably look to move him on after gameweek 11. The downside is he’s only just back from injury which could restrict his minutes and has no form to rely on.
Image source: football.london
Haaland (£15.4m) is the obvious captain choice, again, playing against Wolves this week. A team that’s shipped a lot of goals should be targeted but Haaland has blanked for 2 weeks. That either means he’s overdue a haul or it’s a bad sign that something is causing a drop in his output. He has scored well with De Bruyne out in the past but the quality of chances falling to Haaland have been lower quality, hence lower XG over the last 2 games. He needs supply – will the Man City players provide it this week?
For the record, he’ll be my captain pick!
Chelsea visit Liverpool making Salah (£12.7m) and Palmer (£10.8m) less attractive captain options. Chelsea’s defence could struggle against the likes of Salah given the way they take risks on the ball at the back. It’s going to be an interested game from a tactical point of view and could be very entertaining.
I would generally argue Palmer is fixture-proof – he can score against any team, it’s just a matter of whether you think he will this week. It’s fits and spurts with him in terms of FPL returns but when he’s on it, he can haul. He could inflict some serious damage to Liverpool however, this week he’s more of a differential captain than usual.
For the most differential captaincy, I’d say Mbeumo (£7.5m). He can’t stop scoring and away to Man United isn’t the tough fixture it might seem. United will probably open up given it’s at home which could help Mbeumo – we’ve seen what happens when Man United open up…
Don’t buy Luis Diaz (£8.1m). First up he plays Chelsea then after that he faces Arsenal. Add in the fact he’s now at risk of not even starting. If you have him, like me, then it’s not so straightforward. He’s capable of big scores but seems to be being rotated with Gakpo and with tough fixtures there’s better options out there. Saying that, Liverpool will get chances against Chelsea. I think Diaz is Slot’s first choice at left-wing but on the back of an international break where he’s had to travel back from South America, there’s no guarantee.
Smith-Rowe was benched against Man City so one of our top bargain options is suddenly less attractive. However, I wouldn’t panic as an owner because I don’t think his benching is a reflection of his status in the team I just think it’s tactical. It doesn’t get much easier with Aston Villa up next so he’s not someone to buy in right now but he’s also not a sell. Fulham have been impressive so far so he could certainly do well this week.
Phil Foden (£9.2m) is starting to get more gametime and the fixtures look great. Time to bring him in? The main problem is price, as seems to be the key problem this year – so many good but expensive options. It’s a gamble and one I’m not taking yet but it could be a masterstroke. If he hauls this week against Wolves, he’ll shoot up in everyone’s estimation. For those looking to get a short term replacement for Saka then Foden could be a great shout. De Bruyne isn’t likely to be back and the next 2 fixtures for City are great so it’s now or never.
Image source: mancity.com
I reiterate my point from last week – managers many not be looking at Ipswich but they’ve made a decent start despite some tough opening games. The fixtures are good and Liam Delap (£5.6m) has scored for a couple of weeks running. He might just be the best budget striker out there right now.
Our transfer targets:
Raya in goal is without a doubt still the best GK pick in the game. A visit to Bournemouth shouldn’t pose too much threat given their wastefulness in front of goal this season. One of the best defences against one of the most wasteful attacks should be a good one to target.
Defence:
A more premium back 3 is preferred this week. Gabriel is the top pick in defence generally and like Raya should have a good chance of a clean sheet, not to mention his goal threat.
Porro at home to a West Ham team that have struggled for clean sheets and his attacking style within an attacking Spurs side is the reason he’s in. West Ham come off the back of a 4 goal haul against Ipswich so it’s the attacking upside rather than hope of a cleansheet which gives Porro the nod.
Lewis remains an absolute bargain and should he play, he’ll be in an attacking role against a defensively poor Wolves.
Midfield:
A few more less obvious players make the midfield. With tough fixtures for many premiums (Liverpool and Chelsea face off against each other) and Saka is injury flagged.
Mbeumo is almost a must have right now and has been so consistent. A visit to Old Trafford isn’t what it was and Man United will probably have to play more open than against Villa given their fans will demand they go for the win. This could play into a tactically astute Brentford’s hands.
McNeil is a somewhat bargain option but the fixture against Ipswich and his attacking role in the Everton midfield – he’s been directly involved in an extremely large proportion of Everton’s goals.
Johnson can’t seem to stop scoring and up against a West Ham defence that has struggled.
Foden makes our top picks for the first time this season. He’s looking fairly nailed on and could be the key player against a poor Wolves side. A differential at this point but could quickly become very popular.
Bowen completes the midfield. While I’ve targeted the West Ham defence, I am also targeting the Spurs one – they will be play open football and West Ham’s attack on paper is one of the best outside of the top 6 and Bowen’s ability on the break make him a great target this week.
Forwards:
Solanke makes the line up again. He’s been consistent and I expect Spurs to go at West Ham with Solanke the focal point.
Haaland gets the captaincy again – given the fixture it’s hard to look past him. Time will tell whether he breaks his 2 game duck.
Subs:
Kelleher is a cheap way into Liverpool’s defence with Allison injured. Chelsea isn’t the best fixture but Liverpool are capable of keeping even Cole Palmer out.
Liam Delap features on the bench – I would be temped to start him given his for and good fixture. A judgement call as to which player he’s switched in for. McNeil maybe but that’s betting heavily on Ipswich rather than Everton.
A couple of bargain Southampton defenders make the bench as well. If you’re feeling lucky you could bet on a clean sheet against Leicester but Saints have been unreliable so far so it’s a punt.
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