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Watching the Waiver Wire – Gameweek 2

The first weekend of the new season is over, which in FPL Draft means it’s time to start scouring the waiver wire for Gameweek 2’s best free agents.

Your draft day may have come and gone but now the hard work begins as you look to differentiate yourself from your league-mates by utilising the free agent pool.

I have pulled together a list of key targets you should be looking to pick up off the waiver wire this week as well as some drafted players you may already want to think about letting go.

While it’s impossible for me to know exactly which players are still available in your leagues, I’ve tried to highlight players who had a fairly high probability of being undrafted. Remember, the draft is over and you owe your players nothing, don’t be afraid to cut players just because you spent a high draft pick on them. Just don’t go crazy and drop Harry Kane for Stefano Okaka.

Pick Up

Ben Davies

An excellent Fantasy pick at the back end of last season, Tottenham full back Ben Davies picked up where he left off with his a goal, clean sheet and maximum bonus points in Gameweek 1 against Newcastle.

He has now started every game since Danny Rose got injured in Gameweek 23 of last season and his form could potentially sway Mauricio Pochettino into letting the unhappy Rose leave, as speculation mounts he is on his way out. Davies’ next two fixtures (CHE, BUR) offer good potential for points against a depleted Chelsea side and a Burnley team not (normally) known for away goals.

Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens

Stephens picked up a clean sheet and only narrowly missed out on bonus points in a solid Gameweek 1 performance at the heart of the Southampton defence. Stephens outperformed centre-back partner Maya Yoshida in the BPS total 26 to 20, and was second only to Ryan Bertand amongst Saints players.

However, Yoshida represented the greater goal threat with four attempts (three in the box and one late free kick) – which was twice as many as Sergio Aguero had this week.

Both enjoy an excellent run of fixtures (WHU, hud, WAT, cry) and could end up season-keepers for a defence that has kept at least 12 clean sheets a season for the past four campaigns. Other defences to target this week in free-agency include Burnley (WBA), Bournemouth (WAT) and Leicester (BHA).

Steve Mounie

I’d imagine not many casual players had even heard of Huddersfield’s new record signing Steve Mounie before Saturday. They have now. Mounie grabbed a brace and maximum bonus points on debut as clinical Huddersfield swept aside Crystal Palace in their first ever game in the Premier League. Mounie will have every chance to add to his tally with 3 home games in the next four (NEW, SOT, whu, LEI). There won’t be many strikers left in the free agent pool who have a decent chance of starting 38 games in a season but Mounie should be one. His 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season shows he has pedigree.

Cut Loose

James Milner

Chances are that you didn’t draft James Milner because you were enticed by the strength of the Liverpool backline but because he appeared to be nailed on, offered out of position potential and crucially, was the designated penalty taker.

All three of these factors are very much now up in the air.

Milner lost his place at left back to Alberto Moreno against Watford and despite a pre-season tease from Jurgen Klopp that he could revert to a central midfield position, the manager opted for a midfield three of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum. Most worryingly, Roberto Firmino strengthened his claim as penalty taker by scoring his second in as many weeks. Liverpool’s next three fixtures (CPL, ARS, mci) suggest you could give Milner one more shot this week if you can afford the luxury, but long term he looks surplus to requirements in FPL Draft.

Victor Lindelof

Lindelof’s terrible pre-season form looks to have cost him his starting role in the heart of the Manchester United defence, especially as they kept a clean sheet with ease in Gameweek 1 in his absence. Drop Lindelof and look to pick up Phil Jones or Daley Blind for a way into what is already looking like this year’s best defence and capitalise on some great fixtures (swa, LEI, stk, EVE, sot).

Phil Jagielka

Despite a promising first week for Jagielka, which yielded seven points via a clean sheet and 1 bonus, it’s probably best to keep it a one time fling when you consider Everton’s punishing upcoming schedule. Clean sheets look unlikely in the next four games (mci, che, TOT, mun). In addition, Jagielka doesn’t offer a reliable attacking threat like team-mate Leighton Baines.

Hold

Manuel Lanzini

Lanzini is at risk of missing the next two games through injury, which for a mercurial player with rotation risk at a mid-table team would usually point to him being in the “Drop” list.  But with Barcelona’s interest in Philippe Coutinho showing no sign of going away, rumours are growing that Lanzini is being prepped as his replacement at Anfield.

Lanzini has the talent to be productive at West Ham, but being thrust into a starting role in a free-scoring Liverpool side would see his potential for points sky-rocket.

Don’t give up on him just yet.

Pav A Nice Day Years of experience have taught me that the golden rule of fantasy football is that all my players hate me and deliberately do not score points in order to spite me.

35 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks for this......Think most of those are gone in mine but if not they should definitely be snapped up....incredibly I managed to get Mounie in one of mine on a free last Friday - stroke of luck 🙂

    1. Pav A Nice Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks. It's irritating we can't see a "Team's selected" percentage for players in the draft game. Something that would say 100% for Kane and maybe 10% for Ben Davies. Then I could just post players with less than 15-20% ownership.

      If I knew he took free kicks when I wrote this, I'd have included Trent Alexander Arnold. He's probably available in most leagues. Even though I knew he was on corners I'm still not overly encouraged by Liverpool defence even at home to CPL.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Agree re TAA.

        I'm keeping my waivers secret so far this week in case they get nabbed.

        I think I prefer the free for all of the 24 hr period before though - that's where I picked up Mounie and Iwobi last Friday.....half worked out, half didn't -but well worth the risk.

      2. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Ive got defoe and ihneacho, would you keep them or get Mounie?

        Also, is there anywhere where it will show you which manager has transferred out which player?

  2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Cheers Pav, really appreciate this 🙂
    Davies is the one I can hopefully snag this week. Started with Yoshi so I'm very happy with that!

  3. Exdeo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    good article, I don't have draft team,but it's related to standart team as well. Have Yoshida and Mounie, let's see how they will continue

  4. Trading Bear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Any advice for midfielders? My current defence and strikers are fine but desperately need a midfield maestro. Possibly Fraser or Mooy?

    And any news whether going forward we'll be able to see rivals teams when the GW is locked in? Much like we can in the normal game.

    1. Pav A Nice Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser, Mooy, Albrighton and JWP all jump to mind

  5. Vinnie Rodrigues
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Cheers for this, really useful.

    I really want Davies, but I've already got Bailly, Yoshida, Otamendi, Monreal & Alderweireld- so I'm not sure who I should cut loose to bring him in!

  6. mpok3
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks for this.

    Do you think Zaha owners should get rid? Players like Ramsey and Mooy are available on the waiver.
    Not sure... trying to think long-term. Do I want someone else to pick him up later?

  7. Blackbird235
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Hello guys, I tend to overthink stuff so I would like to ask someone else's opinion.

    My team is:
    Heaton - Elliot
    Dawson - Bertrand - Lowe - Daniels - Dunk
    Eriksen - Mkhitaryan - Ozil - Doucoure - Carroll
    Lukaku - Kane - Mounie

    I created the team after GW1 so I can still make as many transfers as I want.
    I am thinking about trading Bertrand and Daniels for Ben Davies and Yoshida, and I could also trade Bertrand for Yoshida and be able to trade Ozil for De Bruyne, Alli, Mane or some other expensive midfielders.
    What do You guys think?

  8. MrMajeika
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I have bailly in my defense but is he worth it? Could i switch him for someone and then have more money for attack

    1. doubleyou3
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I don't do the draft, but in the standard game I had Bailly in my squad but switched him for Jones before the GW1 deadline (after a recommendation on FFS), upgrading my MF and FW a little with the spare cash. Worked out for me, though I don't know how secure Jones's place is long term relative to Bailly's.

  9. MrMajeika
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    My current team is
    Pickford ( elliot)
    Bertrand bailly hegazi (tuanzabe)
    Ritchie willian kdb alli ( carroll)
    Gabbi lukaku jesus

    Would it be suicide to play my unlimited free transfers or wildcard so early? Thinking bailly is too expensive i could downgrade for jones i have 0.5m itb already so could upgrade gabbi to firminho.
    Or i could just do them gradually week by week using free transfers. Advice please

    1. Krul Intentions
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      You have a perfectly good team fella. Do not wildcard, or use any other chip.

      Bailly is more expensive, but his game time is far more secure, particularly in light of his European ban. In fact, outside of De Gea he's the only Man Utd defender you can really be sure is going to start in the Premier League. Although I did select Jones to start the season, this was certainly a calculated gamble.

      If I had your team I would save my transfer for next week. You can do a mini wild card with 3 transfers for just -4 points then. Resists the urge to make transfers on the basis of 1 game week's info.

    2. christoff
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      i didn't play my wildcard early last year, and I regret it

      honestly i think there's nothing wrong with playing your wc early, get in all the players you like and get rid of the ones you think are underperforming / overcosted.

      nothing wrong with it unless you have some freak stroke of bad luck and your team gets decimated by injury / fatigue from champions league games (im thinking liverpool), yoiu also get another wc mid-season.

      i just did it myself and am glad I did, I got rid of Kane and could make a bunch of other transfers that would have made me lose 12-16points otherwise.

  10. mfair87
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Would it be worthwhile to drop Gabbiadini and his great schedule for Mounie? I made one waive claim this week so I would lose a couple of points. My team looks like this, and I had 87 points last week:

    Elliott - Foster
    Bertrand - Daniels - Ake - Cedric - Trippier
    KDB - Salah - Mhkitaryian - Ramsey - Carrol
    Gabbiadini - Lukaku - Firmino

    Thanks in advanced!!!!

    1. mfair87
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Just realized that this is a draft league post, mine is the "Pick a Team" version

  11. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    If Evans to West Brom, doubling Foster with Hegazi could be a solid, cheap option.

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Evans West Brom to City*

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        West Brom's Evans!*

  12. 6thGoal
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I have a single draft team, but I am finding it nowhere near as exciting as the traditional game. I made a few moves prior to GW1, feeling as if I improved my sqaud, yet I am stuck with Countinho as my #2 overall pick. He moves to Barca, I am all but screwed as there are a plethora of midfielders, but no one near the class of the Brazilian. Lanzini and Shaqiri are are probably the "best of the rest" in my 8-team league. It will be an uphill battle with the potential lose of Coutinho.

    As for your WW list, Mounie and Stephens are both available, but looking to move for either wouldn't strengthen my squad. Aguero, Defoe and Rooney are up top, while Everton doesn't have kind fixtures, Rooney is an admirable #3. I already own So'ton's Yoshida in the back. With Danilo, Daniels, Azpilicueta and Alderwerald, I don't see room for Stephens, even with So'ton great fixtures!

  13. RedMarks 赤的
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Is dropping Rooney for Mounie crazy?

    1. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Yes I think it I. I considered it but knew I would not be able to get Roon back. Figure Everton with new new boy Glfyi will only provide more balls in for big chances

      1. RedMarks 赤的
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        You're right. Just got swayed because everton poor fixtures.
        Thanks

  14. HerrPep
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys. Dropping Gabbiadini for Mounié (this GW but not only for short term - for medium/long term) ... thoughts?

    1. christoff
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      coin flip

    2. da7id
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I'll be doing the same thing, but it's a bit of a gamble!

      Milner or Danilo out for Yoshida?

      Thanks for the article btw! First Draft experience and felt unsure waiving "premium" picks for "form" players, risk losing them for the rest of the season..

  15. Ryssel
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I draftede in Siggy, but then nearly sold him up until his transfer went through this week and I ditched Zaha instead.
    How long do you guys think he will take to settle? I can't see him start this weekend? he isn't match fit is he?

  16. Ryssel
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    (I'll keep this as a separate post)

    Which players are you willing to draft in now and keep even though they won't play for a while?
    I had to make a few calls with Cahill, Siggy, Zaha.

    Did anybody draft in the likes of Sanchez/Hazard with the intention of keeping them long term? That was my plan but the one guy didn't show up for the draft so he got all of those guys as auto picks as we were scooping up the players who are fit with our first 2 or 3 picks

  17. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Is it worth dropping Defoe or Benteke for Mounie?

  18. _Luke23
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    THOUGHTS!?

    a) Xhaka
    b) Mooy

    1. christoff
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      c) atsu / ritchie

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Toby just became an option again, with Sanchez coming in and being a CB could we see Toby shifted to RB and trippier used as a backup?

    He's played there before and was a great pick when he played as full back if I remember correctly.

  20. SHawkes
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on if to swap sane/sterling for Son/Ramsey

    I already have Eriksen and Xhaka