The 2014/15 season opens with just a single home win in the opening seven matches, as Aaron Ramsey’s tap-in helps Arsenal get the better of Palace. Gylfi Sigurdsson grabs a goal and assist as Swansea defeat United, with Wayne Rooney netting the hosts’ only strike. Elsewhere, Saido Berahino fires a brace for West Brom, while Eric Dier and James Chester serve up a goal, clean sheet and maximum bonus apiece after notching winners for Spurs and Hull on the road.
Ramsey Leaves it Late
The Welshman fired an injury-time winner as Arsenal made hard work of overcoming Palace at the Emirates. While Alexis Sanchez chipped in with an assists (and seems to have a share of dead-ball duties) Ramsey served notice that he’s set to maintain the form that saw him deliver 10 goals in 23 appearances last term.
Brede Hangeland’s opener denied many Fantasy managers defensive returns, though Mathieu Debuchy picked up an assist for Ramsey’s strike to get his season up and running and was bombing forward throughout. Arsene Wenger has concerns on the opposite flank, however, with Kieran Gibbs withdrawn midway through the second period: Wenger later stated that the left-back may have picked up a hamstring or Achilles injury. Nacho Monreal looks the likeliest to benefit, though Callum Chambers owners will be hoping the versatile youngster could offer a replacement once Per Mertesacker returns to take his place in the heart of the back line.
Puncheon Set for Ban
Jason Puncheon produced the assist for Hangeland’s strike but blotted his copybook after picking up a pair of yellow cards. Currently owned by 6% of FPL managers, the Eagles top scorer of 2013/14 could be set for a swift exodus – coming in at 6.0, Puncheon’s owners may now opt for the obvious move to the similarly-priced Sigurdsson before the latter’s price escalates. Elsewhere for the Eagles, caretaker boss Keith Millen handed Martin Kelly his debut at right-back, with Joel Ward moving over to the opposite flank – neither Adrian Mariappa or Jerome Williams made the bench with the former still nursing an injury.
Gylfi Steers Swans to Victory
A goal and assist in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford is set to kick start one of the biggest early-season bandwagons. We had reservations over Sigurdsson after he was moved to a role on the right flank for a recent friendly but manager Garry Monk quickly learned his lesson: he shifted the playmaker into his preferred role behind the lone striker, Wilfried Bony, against United. Sigurdsson duly delivered to stun the Old Trafford faithful and with three excellent home fixtures in the next four (BUR, WBA, SOU), he’s set to soar in value.
United Fail to Flatter
The Red Devils’ growing injury list finally caught up with them. Louis van Gaal’s side were heavily backed after a 100% record over the summer but with the Dutchman forced to field debutants Ryan Blackett and Jesse Lingard, it’s clear they remain in an uncertain transition period. Wayne Rooney’s strike may have vindicated the show of faith they saw him run away with this week’s Captain Poll but the 2-1 reverse suggests that Van Gaal has plenty of work to do. Interestingly, the Dutchman changed formations at the break, switching from 3-4-1-2 to a 4-4-1-1, with Juan Mata still tucked in behind Rooney. This saw Nani introduced with a subdued Ashley Young shifted to a traditional left-back role. Young’s 7.5% ownership will now have concerns on the potential of their player with three away trips in four.
Chester the Tigers Hero
Steve Bruce’s backline had managed just two clean sheets on the road all last season but, thanks, in part, to a missed Charlie Austin spot-kick, they hit the ground running with a 1-0 win at Loftus Road. The unlikely match-winner was James Chester, who has already matched his goal output from 2013/14. With the maximum bonus also accrued, the 4.5-priced defender looks poised for further returns, with home encounters against Stoke, West Ham and Palace allied with a trip to Villa in the next six. He ranks third for FPL “transfers in” overnight.
In midfield, Robert Snodgrass owners look set to be forced into a trade after the Scot was forced off in the first-half – Steve Bruce conceded post-match he fears the summer signing may have sustained knee ligament damage.
Fellow new boy Tom Ince was fielded up front alongside Nikica Jelavic and fired four attempts on goal – with Yannick Sagbo serving the second of a two-match ban next weekend, Ince could offer us an out of position flutter for the clash with Stoke for just 5.5 in the FPL – a ready-made replacement for Snodgrass or United’s Young.
Would-be investors in Hull’s assets would be wise to hold fire, however. The Tigers travel to Belgium for a Europa League tie on Thursday. Bruce’s lineup and Hull’s reaction to the potential fatigue will tell us more on how European football is likely to impact on their Fantasy potential.
Bojan Blanks as Weimann Wins it for Villa
Paul Lambert’s side upset the odds with a narrow 1-0 win at Stoke. The Potters lost just three times at the Britannia last season but, despite the efforts of Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic, they were unable to break through as Ron Vlaar impressed in the visitors back-line.
Villa’s Andi Weimann provided the winner and, at 5.5 and with back-to-back home fixtures with Newcastle and Hull, he may court some attention along with fellow budget option, Charles N’Zogbia (also 5.5). Elsewhere in Villa’s lineup, Alan Hutton got the nod at right-back once again and looks to be providing strong value as a 4.0 FPL option.
Berahino Bags a Brace
While Stoke’s Bojan failed his 18% of FPL owners, another midlands-based frontman grabbed the goals as West Brom shared the spoils with Sunderland. Handed the role in “the hole” behind Victor Anichebe, Berahino struck twice (including a spot-kick) as the Baggies kicked off with a 2-2 draw. Three road trips (sou, sea, tot) and the visit of Everton in the next four suggests that Berahino could struggle to maintain this promising form, though.
In defence, the 4.0-priced Andre Wisdom was again selected at right-back, though the similarly-priced Chris Baird dropped to the bench after starting the last few friendlies in central midfield.
Mannone Gets the Nod
Gus Poyet’s decision on his first choice keeper the key issue for Fantasy managers. Vito Mannone and Costel Pantilimon shared game time over the summer friendlies and, encouragingly for the Italian’s owners, he now looks to have edged ahead of the new boy in the pecking order. Elsewhere in the Black Cats’ defence, Patrick van Aanholt’s assist suggests the left-back could offer decent value for his 4.5 FPL price tag.
Davies Benched in Spurs Win
Spurs earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory at West Ham in Mauricio Pochettino’s first match in charge, despite playing over 60 minutes with 10-men. Debutant Eric Dier bagged a 15-point return thanks to a goal, clean sheet and maximum bonus, though with the likes of Jan Vertonghen closing in on a return, it remains to be seen where Dier stands in the pecking order. Kyle Naughton’s dismissal means he is set to sit out next week’s visit of QPR, while the uncertainty surrounding the left-back berth was underlined by the decision to field Danny Rose ahead of Ben Davies. Up front, Emmanuel Adebayor got the nod over Roberto Soldado and with a 3% ownership, looks a real differential for Gameweek 2.
Toffees Share the Spoils
Romelu Lukaku proved his fitness in time for The Foxes clash, though the Belgian was overshadowed by goalscorers Steven Naismith and Aiden McGeady. Naismith was handed the role behind Lukaku after Ross Barkley was ruled out with injury and, with a potential long-term absence for the youngster on the cards, Naismith could be poised for an upturn in game time – his classification as a forward in FPL somewhat dents his appeal, though. Winger McGeady, at 5.5, is worth monitoring, though games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and United in the next six looks a barrier to investment. Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas made the bench and were both introduced late on. Both would seem likely to be in line for starts for the visit of Arsenal in Gameweek 2. This would presumably put both Naismith/McGeady and John Stones under threat.
