First off I would like to address the title of the article. I have not missed out a week, I have just simply opted to include the number of the upcoming Gameweek, rather than the week just passed. I believe this better suits the article, as it features popular transfers in heading in to a certain Gameweek, which were not necessarily just based off the previous one. I also believe with the previous Gameweek in the title it makes it less appealing to read and some may forego it when looking at the articles believing that it was an article written for the previous week.
Now that’s cleared up, we can get into the week at hand. We saw some of the most popular FPL picks performing yet again in Gameweek 4, with Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis scoring a fourth consecutive goal and his team mate AndreAyew registering a goal and an assist. For me, this was a little frustrating, since I wanted this article to feature players which hadn’t already featured in one of my articles previously. Realistically, there would be some repeats over the course of the season, but I didn’t foresee it this early. Nevertheless, this looks to be a positive for us, since it shows that the bandwagons are actually performing, and are becoming players who we are relying on to bring in the points whilst the big hitters disappoint.
This week the players I’ve chosen are a little more mixed. One has already featured, but I think I have more to write on him now given three more weeks have passed and the fixtures are different. One is a very last minute ‘bandwagon’ if you like, who probably won’t have too many jumping aboard just yet. However, I foresee this one being very popular over the coming weeks, so I thought I’d give him a mention early rather than including another player who has featured previously. The final pick was on obvious one, who hasn’t featured prior to this article and is looking a good pick following the last couple of weeks.
Andre Ayew (7.2)
It’s no surprise that Andre Ayew is the first player to feature in this article twice, after only four gameweeks. The Ghanaian attacker made an immediate impact in Gameweek 1, looking lively and picking up a goal. He continued this form the week after, but failed to return points in Gameweek 3 against Sunderland of all people. Last week, his goal and assist got many managers who failed to pick him up earlier twitching; and rightly so.
Swansea’s fixtures, in my opinion, are good. Watford (a), Everton (H), Southampton (a), Spurs (H), Stoke (H), Villa (a) are their next six. You could argue for each one why it mightn’t be the best fixture but the reality is Swansea are in form right now and can easily dominate each and every one of those sides. Watford may have registered two home clean sheets so far, but that doesn’t mean they are unbreakable. I’d be surprised if Swansea don’t put multiple goals past them this weekend. If they do, you’d put your money on Ayew being part of that with a 57.1% involvement rate.
The statistics back up his performances too. He has registered 10 shots in the box so far, seconded only to Alexis Sanchez (15). Of his 13 total shots, six of them were on target, the same number as Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. The only player to beat this total is Crystal Palace’s Bakary Sako (and more on him shortly). Ayew also has the most headed goal attempts of any midfielder (7), which dwarfs the joint second best of Kouyate and Sanchez (3). There is no surprise then, that of his goals, two of them were headers; more than any other midfielder. Furthermore, he has had the most big chances (4) of any midfielder. There is no denying he gets opportunities then, and he takes them too. Jonjo Shelvey has created the second most chances (14) of any midfielder, with Sigurdsson and Montero (8 each) also putting the work in.
Verdict: I said last time around that he looked excellent value at 7.0, and that still remains the case despite being 0.2m dearer. Looking at his performances, points and underlying statistics over the previous four gameweeks, it is clear to see that he is just too good to ignore right now. I’d look at picking him up if you don’t have him, even if you already have Gomis. It is probably worth a hit to get him in, but not this week if you’re selling someone like Spurs man Nacer Chadli, who has a good fixture.
Bakary Sako (5.5)
Many overlooked Palace players as an option during preseason, due to their awful fixtures. Now though, they sit second in the league with a kind run of fixtures in the next few weeks. It is from Gameweek 13, however, that their fixtures do become too good to ignore. Despite some tricky games coming up, many are looking to get in multiple Palace options, with Sako one of the most favourable.
After only featuring in the last two gameweeks, Sako has already registered two goals and one assist. He was involved directly in both of the goals against Chelsea and at 5.5m has sparked the interest of many fantasy managers. One stat that stood out to me is his shots on target (SoT). He has registered eight SoT in the last two Gameweeks, which is more than any other midfielder. Consider the fact that he has played half as many games as the players below him, and this is one very impressive stat.
Consider the stats from the last two gameweeks and his dominance becomes much more apparent. He has registered 11 goal attempts, more than any other midfielder and eight of these shots came from inside the box, again, more than any other midfielder. He has also had an impressive 13 touches in the box over the last two games, bettering the likes of Pedro, Ayew and Mahrez.
Verdict: Sako is looking a very good differential, with only 2.5% ownership. However, a home encounter against City could prove a challenge this weekend with them registering four consecutive league clean sheets. With plenty of other midfielders firing too, it’s tough to fit him in. As a part of a 3-5-2 team he looks a given, but in a 3-4-3 foregoing one of the other firing midfielders with kinder fixtures could be the wrong move. I’d recommend waiting on this one, and maybe picking him up around GW7 for some nicer fixture. For GW13 however, I’ll almost certainly be looking at him with that amazing run.
Asmir Begovic (5.0)
I’ll hold my hands up and admit that at the time of writing, Begovic is not necessarily a huge bandwagon. However, with Thibaut Courtois now looking like he will be out for ‘quite a long time’ according to Blues manager Jose Mourinho. The Belgian requires knee surgery, and reports have suggested he could be out for 10 weeks, maybe more. Begovic then is going to be Chelsea’s man between the sticks for the foreseeable, and at 5.0m he is too good to turn down.
Chelsea haven’t exactly been in the best of form, especially defensively. They didn’t look match fit and were not as sharp as they were last season. However, they have showed signs of improvement, and Mourinho isn’t going to let them continue playing the way they are. Most of the issue come from Branislav Ivanovic’s flank, with him conceding 57 crosses and 23 chances down the right hand side – more than any other team. We could see Mourinho dropping Ivanovic in the future if he continues to play poorly, especially with some of the new defensive signings they have made.
Chelsea have some good fixtures following the Arsenal game, with Newcastle (a), Southampton (H), Villa (H), West Ham (a). They then face Liverpool which could be a tough encounter, but after that their schedule looks great, with Stoke (a), Norwich (H), Spurs (a), Bournemouth (H), Leicester (a), Sunderland (H), Watford (H). Towards the end of this run we would expect to see Courtois nearing fitness, with him possibly coming back in before the end, or maybe just after. Nevertheless, Begovic should rise handsomely in that time, with Courtois falling. This means there is a strong chance the latter will be cheaper than Begovic by the time he is starting again. When the time comes, if Chelsea are solid at the back, a simple switch from Begovic to Courtois could be a good move.
Verdict: It’s a tricky one, because Chelsea are renowned for being solid at the back, however recently they have been nothing like their former selves. In the long run, they have some good fixtures, which is what you want for your keeper. With Courtois seemingly out for 10 weeks, perhaps longer, Begovic looks a great option for that run. However, there is a strong change they will continue to be lacklustre, and we could be foregoing points from another defensively sound team. I’d say he looks the best option on a WC or if you have a free tansfer and nothing else to do. Certainly not for a hit.
