Selection

Mahrez can capitalise if Pep hands him Gameweek 2 start

As a Fantasy Premier League template already begins to emerge it becomes all the more important to have at least a standout differential in your team before the potential bandwagon takes off.

The opening Gameweek of the season saw a number of highly-owned premium attackers deliver fantasy returns but last week’s differentials, Anthony Martial (£7.6m) and Ashley Barnes (£6.5m) also chipped in for good measure.

So here are three low-owned players for Gameweek 2 that may be worth having a think about…

Riyad Mahrez

Sané’s injury may help Mahrez get more game-time this season

Price: £8.5m

Ownership: 3.7%

GW2 Opponent: Tottenham Hotspur (home)

Raheem Sterling grabbed the headlines with a muchdeserved hat-trick as Manchester City opened the defence of their Premier League campaign with a routine thrashing of West Ham United at the London Stadium.

But we should not forget about one of the Citizens key architects in Gameweek 1, midfielder Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m).

The Algerian international made the most of his surprise start by delivering a hat-trick of assists in the big win.

In some ways it was surprising that he featured from the beginning after reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations and winning it over the summer, but having been rested for the Community Shield it seems he was good to go.

There’s no doubt that Pep Guardiola highly rates him, especially after averaging a goal or assist for every 121 minutes played in the league last season – all the more remarkable when considering that he wasn’t a regular starter in this competition.

The only concern with choosing a player like him is the risk of losing out to ‘Pep Roulette’. Guardiola likes to rotate his attack, which in turn keeps them fresh for their multiple competitions.

But it wouldn’t make sense for Guardiola to radically reshuffle his team so early on in the season. After all, he wasn’t able to compensate for the long-term injury loss of Leroy Sane with a new signing.

Of course, it was a surprise that the slightly injured Bernardo Silva didn’t play last Saturday but it would take some doing for him to bench Mahrez after his Gameweek 1 performance.

Perhaps Mahrez is only worth a punt if you’re looking to Wildcard early. In any case, City averaged a staggering 3.2 league goals per game last season and face Tottenham next who they’ve beaten during their last four Premier League encounters.

Teemu Pukki

Pukki has already opened his Premier League account for Norwich

Price: £6.5m

Ownership: 5.5%

GW2 Opponent: Newcastle United (home)

Despite being on the wrong end of an opening day heavy defeat at the hands of Liverpool, Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) broke the hearts of millions of FPL managers by scoring a consolation goal at Anfield.

His three shots in the box and two key passes demonstrated his attacking abilities, especially given he was able to record them in one of the hardest away matches in the Premier League.

In fairness, the way Norwich played against Liverpool, they were unlucky not to score at least twice. They certainly did not park the bus and were not afraid to venture forward against the reigning European champions.

In some ways this may have caught Liverpool off guard after their less than mediocre pre-season and Norwich’s attacking intensity could provide clues to their approach for the games ahead. After all, they averaged more than two goals per game which ultimately helped them to win the Championship.

Pukki was involved in 42% of Norwich’s league goals last season (29 goals and 10 assists). If there’s anyone that has a high probability to score for the Canaries on a weekly basis it will be him.

Their next match will be at Carrow Road where they host a Newcastle United team that looked uninspiring in Steve Bruce’s first competitive game in charge. The much heralded 3-5-2 formation did not work effectively, even against a makeshift Arsenal team.

The Magpies are notorious for being sub-par on their travels and I would expect Pukki to exploit their vulnerabilities in defence. Beyond Gameweek 2, as demonstrated last Friday, his Gameweek 1 display suggests he can also be a threat to even the strongest of defences.

We generally pick differentials who are owned by 5% or less, and Pukki was in 4.9% squads when we picked him out. Such is his popularity that he has risen to 5.5% since then.

Seamus Coleman

Coleman may hold on to his starting berth for Gameweek 2 as Sidibé continues to settle in at Everton

Price: £5.5m

Ownership: 3.5%

GW2 Opponent: Watford (home)

Seamus Coleman (£5.5m) could be one of many Fantasy assets to excel in Gameweek 2 as he prepares to host a Watford side that failed to impress on opening weekend.

The Everton right-back has been a consistent source of Fantasy returns in defence over the last decade, averaging 17 a season (including clean sheets) over the last five years, if we exclude the 2017/18 campaign in which he was blighted by a long-term injury.

There aren’t many other defenders that can match this record over the same period and he started well last weekend with a clean sheet at Selhurst Park.

Of course, there were minor concerns over the summer about Coleman being dislodged with the high profile loan-signing of Djibril Sidibe from AS Monaco, but it seems unlikely that the club captain will lose his place straight away.

Everton’s clean sheet potential remains intact despite the loss of Idrissa Gueye over the summer. Against favourable opposition they should be more than capable of showing the defensive form that helped them keep 14 clean sheets last season.

This weekend, the Toffees face a Watford side who looked out of sorts at Vicarage Road in Gameweek 1 and it’s hard to see how the Hornets will trouble Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Coleman is not only £0.5m cheaper than Lucas Digne but he still offers an attacking threat from the other flank of Everton’s defence. He is worth considering as an alternative route into the Everton defence if you can’t afford the France international.

His fixtures over the coming weeks are also positive with Aston Villa (away), Wolves (home), Bournemouth (away) and Sheffield United (home) coming up.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

761 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez to Lanzini or
    Hold transfer

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold for now

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold

    3. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Chelsea conceded 6 in two games... Why on earth would you sell a Leicester attacker now...

    4. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cool the jets

    5. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez has looked rubs tbh. I've got him and I'm getting his coat ready as we speak

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Give him a few games

      It’s a Rodgers team

      They’ll start scoring

    7. Rock Papiss Cissès
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He's played one game, what did you expect, a hattrick? He's 6.5 and not 10+ for a reason

      1. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No I think I have seen the signs..was expecting him to start up top with Vardy..now he isnt

      2. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        true - trying to pick the perfect 5.5 to 6.5 is good way to over trade and lose sight on the proper trade

  2. teddypicker
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Highest TSB% players only to get benched:
    Gwk1: BSilva and Zaha
    Gwk2: ?

    1. KujaliaFC
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly perhaps. Hope not.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stopped on the line between Salah & Sterling 😮

      Three times.

    2. Our Man Charlie
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      looks like Salah thanks wheel 🙂

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Stopped on Sterling 😮

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Auba virtually every time for me.

      Which poses a problem considering I don't have him.

  3. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I don't want to use my Bench Boost later in the season; is Heaton (BOU), Hanley (NEW), Rico (avl), Cantwell (NEW) an opportunity?

    Basically putting all my eggs in the 'Newcastle are shite' basket...

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why don't you want to use it later in the season ?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        it's a distraction and makes for a weaker starting XI in DGW teams IMO (DGW players also get rotated more than people like to think)

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Save it.

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Surely using it in a double week after a wc is far more beneficial

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I like having a cheap bench at all times, so probably not

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Save for sure

    5. KujaliaFC
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You'll have better players on your bench later in the season.

    6. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do it and captain Cantwell

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        you are a very helpful person, thank you for your kindness

        1. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          See you already knew the answer to your question

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            it appears so, won't be captaining Cantwell though

    7. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would recommend that you stop drinking and think again in the morning.

    8. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do it!

      "And remember to WC next week too.

    9. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Three games too early.

  4. SirT83
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez or Mount?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ayoze

    2. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez

    3. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Obviously Perez.

  5. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Held on transferring anyone out.

    Good to go?

    Ryan

    Digne VVD TAA Zinc

    Salah (c) Sterling Richarlison

    Wilson King

    Button Lundstram Greenwood Drinkwater (don’t ask)

    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Also Pérez in midfield...

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Drinkwater what’s that all about!?
        Only kidding good to go

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sure. Enjoy the baps 🙂

  6. Four Hit Wonder
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm on a wc, if I got cash to upgrade Siggy to Pepe, should I?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would be tempted, an easy switch to son/kdb as well if need be.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bringing in Arsenal assets on a GW2 WC is pretty stupid

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am not on WC and have cash in the bank to upgrade to Kane GW3 without ripping up my team which did pretty well without triple captain GW1 and two players blanked!

  7. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG ?

    Henderson

    Digne - VVD - Robertson

    Salah - Richarlison - Martial - Robinson

    Kane - Haller - King

    Woodman - Hanley - Drinkwater - KWP

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why can’t they play cricket in the rain, like all other sportsmen?

    Is it cause they’re pansies?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They have to cover the wicket or it gets messed up. Plus the damp grass would negatively affect the movement of the ball both on the wi key and in the outfield. Imagine hitting a shot that would normally go fo four but gets held up in wet grass and only becomes a single!

  9. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King, Deulofeu.

    Who is priority transfer out?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gerrard

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        easy swap to jota, pukki or Maupay

      2. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No keep del against his old club extra motivation assess again after this week.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Utter nonsense. The fact that he's playing his old club makes no deference whatsoever.

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I tend to believe that players do well vs their former clubs, however that is not always the case. For instance Mane has rubbish stats vs Southampton.
            I guess it can work both ways, if that player has a vandetta then they can do well for sure, but equally that team know how that attacker players and can shut him out easy.
            But based on Watford last week, yeesh I dont want any Watford player personally. At least King has a decent fixture even if he is garbage ^^

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He didn’t get 90 mins.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm in the same situation as you. I'm thinking deu for jota

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        you've got a good enough bench to roll the transfer

  10. Ico
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I need 1 defender

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Classic debut

      1. Ico
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hi sorry ,seems that full comment was not posted

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Vvd

      1. Ico
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ryan
        VVD, Wan B, Dunk, ?
        Salah, Sterling,Mane,McGinn
        Rashford, Pukki
        (Pope, Kelly, Dendo, Greenwood)
        5 m available
        Any short/long term suggestions are welcome

        1. gerlano
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Dunk to lundstram will get you 0.5 more, wich means you can get zinchenko. City got Great fixtures.

          1. Ico
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks

  11. New post
  12. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    FPL wud be more fun if we are allowed to select not more than one player from any team

    Which 11 wud u pick 🙂

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      id say something like 2 from each team would be a great idea, really add more skill to things

  13. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    salah, sterling, auba, kane, martial, jota, wilson and then a load of rubbish players

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      reply fail to yuva

  14. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I have this urge to wildcard. For some reason I don't like my team. Current team is

    Heaton
    VVD TAA Digne
    Salah Sterling Perez McGinn Fraser
    King Kean

    Would swap Fraser for Son GW3 with 2m currently ITB

    Would wildcard to

    Adrian (if fit)
    Digne TAA Emerson
    Mane Sterling Perez Pulisic McGinn
    Auba Pukki

    Would swap Auba for Kane GW3.

    Thoughts?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Like it. Similar to my WC team.

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What keepers are we going with this season ?

    2. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1st team is better. Save ft and sort it out before gw3. Jesus!

  15. Blens
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What should I do with this lot guys?

    Pope (McGovern)
    Zinchenko TAA Digne Fredericks Reid
    Salah Stirling Lucas M Trossard Hendrick
    Wilson Deeney Jota

    I know so much needs doing but 1 FT and 0ITB...should I save or what?

    All suggestions welcome!

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Evening!

    So with Adrian injured, that rules out the potential Pope to Adrian move.

    Do I move Guilbert out? Or just play Rico and save FT?

    Thanks

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Adrian isn't certainly ruled out.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        OK, but it's enough to put me off that possible move

  17. I AM THE FPL MONSTER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rank these in order to play this Gw? ZINCHENKO RICO MOURA INGS LUNDSTRAUM??

  18. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What is the perfect EPL transfer destination for Alonso to make him interesting again?

    (1) He could take Felipe Alonso’s spot and do a lot of damage at West Ham
    (2) He would be cool at Crystal Palace overlapping with Zaha
    (3) He could be cool at Wolves- Doherty is really just a sad Poor-Man-version of Alonso