Gameweek 4 finally arrived and brought with it a few surprises and plenty of talking points. Results and performances may make some FPL managers start to challenge the prevailing opinions given the contrast between this week and previous ones.
Here’s our thoughts following gameweek 4 which followed the international break. However, this is also your chance to get questions answered so if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
Aston Villa won 3-2 against Everton but it was far from straightforward. Onana (£5.1m), who many were considering a possible FPL option given a good start to the season and being Villa’s direct replacement for David Luiz (who scored a bucket-full of FPL points last year). However, Onana was hooked at half time after he gave a goal away by losing possession weakly in midfield. It could have just been a reaction to get the team back in the game but it could also have been with 1 eye on the Champions League which could mean more Villa rotation.
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Rogers (£5.1m) has been talked about a lot as a great bargain option, getting lots of gametime in an attacking position in a really good side. On the face of it a great FPL option. However, I’m not so sure, it’s another blank which gives him a 100% record on that so I don’t think he’s worth bringing in. More difficult if you have him, he’s probably not worth going to the trouble of selling either.
Watkins (£8.9m) finally gave owners something to shout about. A brace to get his team back into the game and a good run of fixtures ahead – owners will be glad they held onto him.
Everton gave a 2 goal lead away to lose 3-2 for the second successive game. Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) was wasteful and unlucky…wasteful with a one-on-one which he simply took too long and failed to set himself up for the finish and unlucky with another not long after where he hit the crossbar. He’s not an FPL option in my opinion but regardless of that, Everton fans will be worried about their inability to hold onto a lead.
Perhaps the biggest FPL talking point is around Liverpool. They lost at home to Nottingham Forest which was a big shock but their failure to score is perhaps even bigger. A blank from Salah (£12.7m) will frustrate owners but definitely isn’t a concern; he has great fixtures and this is likely just a blip.
Rotation was minimal with the same front 3 named of Salah, Luis Díaz (£7.7m) and Jota (£7.6m) but both Díaz and Jota were taken off on 60 minutes which will be of some concern to owners.
Man City meanwhile, secured a 2-1 win against Brentford but it was far from straightforward.
Brentford could have been 3-0 fairly early on having taken the lead straight from kick-off. City can be gotten at and looked far from secure defensively. Wissa (£6.1m) and Mbeumo (£7.1m) caused problems but Wissa sustained an injury which puts him out for some time, an easy sell for owners and a shame for Brentford.
Defensively City didn’t look great and FPL managers will have noted that Gvardiol (£6.0m) didn’t start and Rico Lewis (£4.7m) who did, alongside the returning Kyle Walker (£5.3m), was hooked at half-time. Rotation of the City back-line is always a risk and it’s not even harder to predict who will get the nod for gameweek 5.
Haaland (£15.2m) is exceptional. Essential for all FPL owners and the only time not to have him is when he’s injured. He’s that good. His £15m starting price tag is so justified and worth making room for.
Man United secured themselves a 3-0 win but it could have been so different had Archer (£5.0m) scored his penalty at 0-0. Surprising that Brereton Diaz (5.4m) didn’t take it given his penalty record. Here at FPLtoolbox we have soft spot for the Saints but we fear for their Premier League survival.
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Man United on the other hand kicked on and Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m) finally got an assist and Rashford (£6.9m) finally got himself a goal. Will Rashford, clearly a confidence player, kick on from this? He looked a completely different player after he scored and could be one to watch but FPL managers should be wary of another false dawn and the risk of rotation with Amad (£5.0m), Garnacho (£6.4m) and others.
2 goals for Mateta (£7.4m) will please owners but frustrate already frustrated Eze owners. 1 of the goals were penalties and many assumed Eze (£6.9m) would be taking these for Palace. I had to check Eze wasn’t subbed off before the pen…he wasn’t.
Crystal Palace played a front 3 with Mateta and Nketiah (£5.9m) both included. Another positive in that they are less likely to be taking minutes off each other making Mateta and even better option. Upcoming fixtures don’t look great on paper but Man United and Everton aren’t exactly robust defences.
Chelsea continue to be unreliable for FPL managers. A blank for Palmer (£10.6m) but a goal for Nkunku (£6.2m) off the bench will raise eyebrows but given the amount of rotation I’d generally stay away from Chelsea assets, except Palmer who is the only one likely to show consistency.
Nicolas Jackson (£7.6m) showed us all why he’s not an FPL option. He’s a regular starter, the main focal point of the attack and gets plenty of chances but nonetheless performs so poorly against his XG (in other words he wastes chances) that it’s not worth bringing him in. I’ll take the occasional haul to avoid the stress of the many blanks which could have been so different.
Arsenal secured a 1-0 win in the North London Derby. Usually a goal-fest, Arsenal stifled Spurs and scored a set piece goal. Another clean sheet for last season’s (and this) best defence. Gabriel, Saliba or White are all great choices.
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The downside is that Saka (£10.0m) is flagged with a knock. Too early to make a decision but owners should wait to hear. Saying that, Man City are up next and that £10m might be better off invested elsewhere for this week.
Spurs on the other hand had plenty of possession but failed to create. Solanke (£7.5m) owners were please he started but he barely got a sniff. There’ll be better days for Spurs but the gap between them and Arsenal was much bigger than the 1-0 scoreline showed.
Newcastle secured 2-1 win away to Wolves but perhaps in less than convincing circumstances. Isak (£8.4m), the most transferred out player pre gameweek and still owned by 38.5% of managers failed to score. A quality player but the goals just don’t seem to be coming, Newcastle are labouring a bit.
Top transfers so far
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Haaland – no comment. He’s a must.
Diaz is interesting given a blank but fixtures are good and his starting place quite assured. There is some risk of rotation in the coming weeks so it’ll be interesting to see if he keeps his place.
Watkins is off the mark and has good fixtures so the consistency of last season could be about to come back. Saying that, it feels a bit of a reaction to his 2 goals this week. He’s been a good pick from the start and somewhat unlucky, nothing has really changed despite a lot of managers selling him and now a lot buying.
Vardy scored his second of the season and at £5.7m is a great price. While he’s incredibly fit for his age I do expect his minutes to be managed so rotation is a definite risk. Fixtures are great with the exception of Arsenal away in gameweek 6.
Smith-Rowe (£5.7m) has bagged a goal and assist so far this season. Decent return for his price and the team he’s in. It’s not blowing anyone away but when he broke through at Arsenal a few years ago his quality was there on show. He’s a great bargain and will help with spreading cash out among your team but don’t expect a return every week.
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Isak makes sense to sell right now. Newcastle have laboured and his price tag of £8.4m just isn’t getting the bang for the buck that’s required. It’s a shame because we know his quality and that he’ll have a spell where he can’t stop scoring…we’ll all say we regret selling him, but the money is being tied up when it can be spent better elsewhere.
João Pedro is an interesting one. Too quick to jump off him in my opinion. Fixtures are good and his injury flag could be something minor – I’d wait to hear more news.
Gvardiol was dropped but came on and this is after starting all 3 opening games. Man City players come with an element of rotation risk so it comes with the territory. More concerning is City have not looked that tight at the back, conceding in 3 of their 4 games so far. Arsenal defenders at the same £6.0m price point look a better bet right now.
Eze blanking and not taking a penalty will frustrate owners who have probably already got a bit frustrated with him. I still think he’s a good option.
Saka (£10.0m) is flagged and up against Man City next, so queue the sales. While I agree with the conclusion, think carefully about the long term plans for your team – are you just looking 1 fixture ahead? If so, are you going to try to get him back in a week or 2 or are you happier with that money being used up elsewhere in your team?
We’ll be back with some more ahead gameweek 5, including our team reveal. If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
