The Digest – Gameweek 4

Our last glance back at the previous round of fixtures brings Palace’s new goal-getting wide man into focus. Swansea’s outstanding start to the season is also acknowledged, whilst the lack of impact from big hitters is causing plenty of concern.

The Player

Bakary Sako’s weekend goal and assist ensured Jose Mourinho had little to cheer about in his 100th home match in charge of Chelsea.

Having fired the winner at home to Villa in his Gameweek 3 debut, the Mali international went one better as Palace emerged from Stamford Bridge with all three points. After just two matches, Sako – who has also earned maximum bonus on both occasions – has racked up 23 points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.

Delve into the underlying data and it’s clear to see his immediate impact is no fluke. Despite playing only half of the first four Gameweeks, Sako leads the way amongst midfielders for shots on target, with a total of eight – put into perspective, team-mates Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and Yohan Cabaye have mustered seven attempts on target between them.

Given that Bolasie and Zaha managed four strikes apiece last term, Sako’s arrival clearly offers the Eagles greater firepower in the attacking midfield three slots. His 15 efforts for Wolves – albeit at a lesser level in the Championship – illustrates his eye for goal and the midfielder’s performances so far suggest he’s stepped up seamlessly to the top-flight.

At a price of just 5.5 in FPL, Sako looks set to follow in the footsteps of Riyad Mahrez and offer Fantasy managers another budget candidate to consider in their five-man midfields. Upcoming clashes with City and Spurs may deter many from immediate investment, with the schedule taking a turn for the better in Gameweek 7. With Pardew’s emphasis on attack, though, last weekend’s result suggests the Palace new boy has the talent to reward early adopters and flourish regardless of fixture.

The Team

A 2-1 home win over United maintained Swansea’s superb start to the season as Garry Monk’s men went into the international break in fourth spot in the Premier League.

The manner of the weekend win underlined Monk’s tactical acumen. Devoid of the injured Jefferson Montero, the Swans boss shifted from 4-2-3-1 to a midfield diamond after seeing his side go behind, with Andre Ayew moved up front alongside Bafetimbi Gomis. The impact was instant, as the duo bagged a goal apiece to condemn the Red Devils to their first defeat of the campaign.

Having also scored twice away to Chelsea, Monk’s men have deservedly earned plenty of Fantasy interest in the first month of the season. With four and three goals accrued respectively, Gomis and Ayew have undoubtedly been the standout candidates but they’ve been backed by a supporting cast including Montero, Jonjo Shelvey and Gylfi Sigurdsson that has created chances aplenty.

One look at the upcoming schedule suggests more of the same, too. With trips to Watford and Villa twinned with home encounters against Everton, Spurs and Stoke, Swansea sit third in our Season Ticker for attacking potential over the next six Gameweeks. Given their form so far, the case for having at least one, or even two Swansea options, could well prove a very viable tactic.

The Talking Point

It’s been a season that could barely have been more frustrating for Fantasy managers so far.

Manchester City aside, few, if any, big hitting teams have managed to meet our expectations – indeed, although the Etihad club sit atop the league, Sergio Aguero has scored just once, compounding our misery further. For many, the Argentine’s blank at home to Watford was just the latest in a series of captaincy fails as the campaign stutters out the blocks.

In midfield, we’re desperately awaiting the likes of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez to ignite, whilst up front, it’s arguably worse – not one of the top eight scoring forwards started with a price in excess of 8.0. Aguero, Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney have all failed to justify the hefty outlay, leaving mid-price and budget options to lead the way.

Surely it can’t continue like this. The likes of Aguero and Sanchez, in particular, have posted strong underlying stats that suggest keeping the faith is the wisest move. Whilst Hazard has clearly toiled for Chelsea so far, his record as Fantasy gold over the previous three years cannot be argued – flash back to last term and the Belgian managed just one goal in the first six before finally finding his form.

As we’ve seen time and again, the big hitters almost always rise to the top. Having a little patience seems the best answer but in the midst of an international break, with wildcards flying around, that’s never easy.