The fixtures are coming thick and fast. As soon as one game week ends, another begins. But what can we learn from the midweek fixtures?
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Arsenal are back on track
A 2-0 win over Man United has re-established Arsenal’s title credentials. They’ve successfully navigated one of their toughest fixtures (on paper) for the next few weeks.
Image source: independent.co.uk
Saka is a must in all teams now but a triple up is definitely worth considering. The defence should be targeted with Saliba, Gabriel and now Timber all in consideration.
Gabriel was yellow flagged and missed the game and remains flagged. I expect he’ll be back for the weekend against Fulham. It was probably just a bit too quick of a turnaround for the mid-week game.
Timber seems to be fairly nailed on now and is another Arsenal defender with great attacking threat at set plays. His price point being a bit lower than the other 2 I mention make him easier to obtain. There is some threat of minutes being taken by other full-backs but with Ben White out for a long time, I expect Timber will get a lot of game time.
Chelsea rotation frustrates many
The most purchased player was Nicolas Jackson as managers expected a haul against lowly Saints. Instead, he as rested and didn’t even feature.
Image source: sbnation.com
Chelsea won 5-1 and managers will rue the fact Jackson wasn’t on the pitch. Palmer got a goal but not the haul many were expecting.
Spurs away next is a tricky fixture but after that the games look great on paper. Hold your Chelsea assets!
Sanchez was dropped in goal and it’s unclear whether this was resting (unusual for a goalkeeper) or a switch in the Chelsea number 1. Something to keep an eye on because Jørgensen is an absolute bargain at £4.2m if he keeps his place.
Newcastle and Liverpool put on a show
Possibly one of the most entertaining games of the season so far. The 3-3 at St James’ park would have kept the neutrals happy.
Image source: liverpoolfc.com
Salah smashed it again, proving to be the best captain pick of the premiums…again.
Many transferred out Isak, often for Jackson, and this decision was punished ruthlessly. The Swede proved his quality and could have had even more had he not had a goal disallowed.
Liverpool have less difficult tests ahead and Salah plus at least one defender should be in your team.
Newcastle are harder to predict, this was a great performance but they’ve been inconsistent. I’m not sure I’d be targeting their players but ones like Isak should be held for now.
Everton get vital win against a poor Wolves
In a key bottom of the table clash, Everton who hadn’t scored for 4 games, put 4 past a poor Wolves defence.
Wolves’ defence has been shambolic and despite the fixtures getting nicer and a couple of good results, they’ve returned to losing form. Cunha has also gone quiet but with the equally bad defence of West Ham up next, I’d hold onto him.
Everton have a terrible run of fixtures (Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City) now so steer clear.
Ruud off with a bang
Leicester secured a 3-1 win over West Ham. Defensively West Ham continue to be poor and should be a target for your attacking players, just like Wolves.
Image source: skysports.com
Leicester got a great start under their new manager but I struggle to see any serious FPL picks in the team. Fixtures are mixed so they’re not obviously a team to look to but if the likes of Vardy can start getting consistency then maybe they become an option.
Mbeumo quiet again
A 3-1 loss away to Aston Villa wasn’t too surprising. Brentford’s home form is considerably better than their form on the road.
The disappointment was Mbeumo – not a shot all game. It’s time for him to go, if he hasn’t already. Managers are shipping him out and I expect a price drop.
There’s plenty of options in the bargain midfielder category. For example, Rogers, Iwobi (yes I said it), Semenyo and Kluivert.
Are Man City back?
It’s too soon to get carried away but a De Bruyne masterclass helped seal a 3-0 home win against Forest.
Forest are no pushovers so it certainly wasn’t an easy fixture. To say they’re back is missing the underlying issues with City. For me, they are out of the title race and a lot of their key players of the last few years just look like they’ve lost some edge or some legs.
De Bruyne is too expensive as a serious FPL option, Haaland still didn’t score and they came pretty close to conceding. I’m not convinced there’s a City asset worth having right now. An amazing thing to say and not something I would have expected to say at the start of the season.
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