A huge weekend of football with the game weeks now coming thick and fast. There was plenty of goals and that means FPL points!
As always, if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
I was wrong about Saka
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal
Image source: standard.co.uk
I’ve been banging the drum for Saka, and Arsenal assets generally, for the last couple of weeks. The fixtures have turned nicely in their favour so I was, and continue, to expect good results and points. They’ve been free scoring with good fixtures and minimal injuries.
The thing I was wrong about is that I viewed Saka as a steady returner of points however he’s started to haul more regularly which only increases his appeal as an FPL asset. A must-have now.
Defensively it was disappointing for them to concede 2 given how dominant they were for so long. As a Gabriel owner, it was a bit annoying that a goal and assist (for winning a penalty) was not supplemented by the clean sheet.
Saka is the penalty taker but Odegaard took the first 1 off of Saka. Luckily Saka clarified that as captain Odegaard took it off him to get himself off the mark for the season. For the second penalty Saka took and scored it with Odegaard giving him the ball. I think Saka is still the penalty taker but it’s one to be aware of and could have been even better for Saka owners.
West Ham again looked poor out of possession and there were countless defensive errors. For me the only thing to target for them in FPL is attackers playing against them. Wan-Bissaka got his second goal in 2 games but don’t be fooled, he’s not someone to target – West Ham clean sheets are highly unlikely and goals for him are a real rarity. This was an anomaly.
Salah sinks City
Liverpool 2-0 Man City
Image source: liverpool.com
A goal and assist for the Egyptian King. In hindsight, the way the game unfolded doesn’t seem a surprise.
City looked quite poor, especially defensively, while Liverpool looked in full control. It could have been even more as Salah had some other good opportunities and Van Dijk could have had 2 headers from corners.
From an FPL perspective, nothing changes; Salah is a must have. The Liverpool defence continues to be strong however there’s some rotation in the full backs and with Konate injured, the only sure thing is Van Dijk.
As for City assets, there was always the issue of Pep roulette (the endless rotation) but it’s got to be said, I don’t think there’s a single player we should be looking at right now. Haaland is too much money to hold on to, the defence is leaking goals and there’s not much consistent goal threat elsewhere in the team right now.
United players at the double
Man United 4-0 Everton
Image source: thesun.co.uk
Bruno and Amad chirped up with 2 assists each and Rashford and Zirkzee provided the finishes, twice each. That’s another return from the in form Bruno (after a disappointing blank against Ipswich last time out) and another top performance from Amad.
Rashford has 3 in 2 games and United keep another clean sheet (something they’ve done more times than you’d expect given their league position).
Bruno remains the main option, he’s clearly their best player and talisman but Amad is now an option. He’s cheap and getting games in an attacking wing-back role and most importantly, he’s delivering.
Rashford is still a risk – Hojlund will take minutes off him at some point.
The United defence is perhaps a target, Onana is the pick of the bunch – he’s making a lot of big saves and the clean sheets are wracking up. Other defenders are a bit more of a rotation risk, or even injury risk. De Ligt seems the most nailed but offers little attacking threat while Dalot and Mazaoui will likely see rotation.
4-0 was flattering and Everton had chances but with just 1o goals all season and no goals in 4 games, they are struggling in front of goal.
Cunha upstaged by Kluivert
Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth
Image source: BBC Sport
A home game for Wolves against Bournemouth looked good on paper, especially for Cunha owners given his form. Kluivert and co had something to say about that.
Penalty takers have a little extra special value in FPL because they just get a bunch of free extra goal scoring chances. Bournemouth gave Kluivert 3, dispatching all 3 for a hat trick, showing the value of this.
Cunha blanked despite goals for Wolves, which is slightly surprising, as Strand Larsen stepped up instead.
For me, the game was about Wolves error strewn defence but also just how good Bournemouth looked going forward. They were missing the suspended Semenyo who will be back next game. The Cherries have some decent fixtures coming up – Spurs next which isn’t amazing, but Ipswich and West Ham after are among a fairly good run for them.
Palmer on form while Watkins struggles
Chelsea 3-0 Villa
Image source: tntsports.co.uk
Palmer and Jackson got on the score sheet and continue to be the main attacking FPL options for Chelsea. A good run of fixtures and form make them ones to target.
Villa made a number of errors on the ball, giving chances away while Chelsea kept their attack quiet. Watkins had a couple of chances but couldn’t take them, they seem a bit off the boil.
Jackson in particular looked sharp and the only surprise is he only managed 1 goal. Palmer securing a goal was a relief for owners after a quiet couple of weeks and this should boost his confidence and chances of returning more in the coming weeks.
Brentford’s home form too much for Leicester
Brentford 4-1 Leicester
Leicester have announced a new manager in Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was only in the stands for this game. Brentford’s immense home form however, couldn’t be overcome.
Wissa scored again, he’s been a great bargain striker option for the last few weeks, but for me it’s the drop in returns from Mbeumo that is most concerning – the attacking returns are being spread out. Brentford’s fixtures aren’t great going forward and despite their strength at home, I think it’s time to steer away from them.
Shade found himself in the starting line-up and managed a hat trick! However, for the reasons above, and because his game time is not guaranteed I just don’t see him as a serious FPL option.
Leicester were on the back foot for much of the game, despite taking the lead. I don’t see any of their players as FPL options – when you’re down the bottom of the league all games look hard and even with the potential new manager bounce, Van Nistelrooy has his work cut out.
Wood keeps going
Forest 1-0 Ipswich
A game lacking in quality saw Wood get his 9th goal of the season. He emphatically dispatched the penalty.
This was the last of the “good” fixtures for Forest for a while so he’s not 1 to bring in now. That ship has sailed. Selling is a harder question; he’s proved he can still score against top opposition and the added bonus of penalties means he’s always in with a shout. I just think there’s better options due to the fixtures – Joao Pedro, Cunha and Jackson to name a few (at various price points).
Isak’s injury record strikes again?
Palace 1-1 Newcastle
Image source: channelnewsasia.com
On 22 minutes, one of the league’s best strikers, got subbed off. It’s a concern for owners given his form has been pretty good and Newcastle’s fixtures are favourable.
Many have brought him in over the last few game weeks so we wait to see what the injury news is. With plenty of good striker options out there right now, I wouldn’t hold onto him unless the news is a short term injury and your team is strong enough without him for a week or 2.
Both teams struggled in attack – Newcastle didn’t manage a shot on target (their goal coming from an own goal). Palace created more but Eze, Marteta and co haven’t exactly been firing this season and there were a few big misses in this game. Nothing from this match suggests we should be too keen on players in these teams.
Saints still without a win
Brighton 1-1- Southampton
Has Mitoma been going under the radar? Another return for the Japanese winger – he’s in better form than you would think given the lack of chatter about him. With many elite midfield options like Salah, Saka, Palmer and more you can see why he’s not been in the conversation as much. Brighton’s fixtures are great and if you’ve got a midfield slot in that price bracket, there’s no reason not to go for him.
Saints looked really good going forward and probably deserved the win despite Brighton’s quality and form. Tyler Dibling was the star of the show but I don’t see any FPL options in that team. The strikers rotate too much and they can’t keep a clean sheet.
Fulham run Spurs close
Spurs 1-1 Fulham
Spurs continue to be inconsistent. After thrashing Man City last week, they’ve come unstuck against Fulham.
Johnson back on the score sheet but many will have sold him recently given his drop in FPL returns and number of better options at his price point. Solanke continues to disappoint and just isn’t an option right now.
As for Fulham, they may well have gone on to win if not for a red card to Cairney, after he scored. Raul could have scored but wasn’t clinical, highlighting his drop off in form. Both these teams have some decent FPL options but definitely not consistent ones.
If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
